8 Days Thimphu Tshechu Festival

A Tshechu is a festival held every year in various temples, monasteries and dzongs across Bhutan. It is mainly a religious event celebrated on the 10th day of the month of the Lunar Calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava, an 8th century Buddhist teacher. A Tshechu/festival is celebrated not merely for entertainment, but also as a series of sacred events choreographed to promote happiness with the intention of eventually cultivating an enlightened mind in all attendees. The festival is a sacred event conducted by fully ordained monks and enlightened masters.

One of the biggest festivals in the country is the Thimphu Tshechu. This festival is held in the capital city for three days beginning on 10th day of the 8th month of lunar calendar and this year it corresponds to 19th – 21st September 2018. This Tshechu is witnessed by thousands of people many of whom travel from neighbouring districts to attend the festivities. The actual Tshechu is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods.

The Thimphu Tshechu was initiated by the 4th Temporal Ruler of Bhutan, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay in 1867 and enhanced by the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1950s