Bhutan Festivals 2023

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BHUTAN FESTIVALS 2023

Although it may be true that Bhutan is known for its exquisite landscapes and beautiful heritage, its festivals are also some of the most enthralling aspects of the Bhutanese culture.

BREAKDOWN...

When visiting the Land of the Thunder Dragon, attending a festival is certainly a great way to immerse yourself in the rich culture of Bhutan.

In fact, your visit can never be called complete if you can’t witness at least one of these celebrations.

These festivals are expressions of gratitude and glee in their Buddhist culture.

It is also a way for them to honour the saint who introduced Buddhism in the country in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche.

These religious festivals are called Tsechus and are held on the most auspicious dates in the Bhutanese calendar.

The celebration includes a series of dances and rituals with dancers wearing beautifully decorated masks while the attendees wear their most glorious clothes and accessories.

Furthermore, you get to enjoy Bhutan’s delicacies as locals bring traditional lunches in their woven bamboo baskets.

For the Bhutanese, one must try to attend a Tsechu at least once in their lifetime.

They believe that participating in the festival and watching the mystical dances performed by the monks would grant them grace and good fortune.

MOST FAMOUS
FESTIVALS

If you choose to look at the popularity of the festivals, then Thimphu and Paro festivals are definitely the most well-known festivals in the country.

So, why are these festivals so famous? Well, there are basically two main factors why they are by far the most popular.

The first reason is that the regions celebrating these festivals are located in the western part of Bhutan which is also an hour away from the local airport.

So, if you are only in the country for a week then it is highly possible to join the festivities.

Meanwhile, if you plan to attend the festivals in the eastern region of the country, you would need to stay in the country for at least 10 days since travel and festivities usually take several days.

The second reason is that these festivals happen in spring and autumn, two of the best seasons to visit the country.

What do I do if I can’t join the festival?

All you have to do is to visit the temple or also known as Dzong. Since the preparation for the festival could take weeks, you can opt to go to the temple and watch the monks practice their dance rituals before the festival itself. It is also a great opportunity to see the faces behind the beautifully decorated masks and take great pictures.

2023
2024

FESTIVAL NAME	PLACE	DATE
BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUCK		21st – 23rd February
PELDEN LHAMOI DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF MAHAKALI	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	25th – 27th February
DRUBCHEN	Punakha Dzong, Punakha	24th – 28th February
PHURBA DUBCHEN	Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashi Yangtse	26th February – 7th March
TRASHIYANGTSE ANNUAL TSHECHU	Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse	27th February – 1st March
KHENGZOR TSHECHU	Khengzor Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	28th February – 2nd March
LICHIBI TSECHU	Lichibi, Zhemgang	1st March
PUNAKHA TSHECHU	Punakha Dzong, Punakha	1st – 3rd March
NAKTSHANG TSECHU	Nyalamdung Naktshang, Khoma, Lhuntse	1st – 5th March
NGANGLAM TSHECHU	Nganglam Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel	5th – 7th March
TANGSIBI MANI	Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	6th – 10th March
THARPALING THONGDROL	Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey,Bumthang	7th March
CHENGA KORA	Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse	7th March
ZHURI DUECHOED	Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang	17th – 18th March
GAYDEN CHOEDPA	Gayden Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	19th – 21st March
NAMGANG KORA	Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse	21st March
KHARPHU LHASOL	BjokaTrong, Zhemgang	24th March
ZHEMGANG DZONGKHAG TSECHU	Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang	28th – 31st March
GASA TSECHU	Gasa Dzong, Gasa	28th – 31st March
TSIRANG TSHECHU	Ragbey Dratshang, Tsirang	29th – 31st March
TALO TSECHU	Talo Monastry, Punakha	29th – 31st March
GOMKORA TSHECHU	Gomphu Kora, Trashi Yangtse	31st March
PREWCHOED	Buli/Tali/Nangkhor, Zhemgang	31st March
BHUTAN INTERNATIONAL MARATHON RUN	Gasa – Punakha	4th March
DZONGDRA TSHECHU	Dzongdrakha Lhakhang, Luni, Paro	31st March – 7th April
PARO TSHECHU 2023	Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro	2nd – 6th April
KHOMSHAR TSECHU	Khomshar, Zhemgang	6th – 8th April
RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL	Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu	17th – 19th April
RAWABI TSHECHU	Rawabi Goenpa, Maenbi, Lhuentse	28th – 30th April
TASHICHOLING LHAKHANG TSHECHU	Tashicholing Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel	28th – 30th April
DUNGKHAR TSHECHU	Dungkhar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	28th April – 1st May
DUNGMED TSHECHU	Dungmed Lhakhang, Pemagatshel	28th – 30th April
NEYPHU MANI	NeyphuGoenpa Shaba Gewog	30th April
DOMKHAR TSHECHU	Domkhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang	30th April – 2nd May
URA YAKCHOED	Ura Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	2nd – 6th May
DUMATI TSECHU	Dumati, Lichibi, Zhemgang	14th May
DOLAY DRUPCHEN	Taktshang Pelphu	20th – 30th May
PREW KHOWCHUNG	Gangzur, Lhuntse	30th May
PREW	Jasabi, Kurtoe, Lhuentse	30th May – 1st June
BONCHOED	Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang	3rd June
ZOBEL TSHECHU	Zobel Lhakhang, Zobel, Pemagatshel	2nd – 4th June
DER-CHOED	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	25th – 28th June
DECHENLING TSHECHU	Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel	26th – 28th June
NIMALUNG TSHECHU	Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang	26th – 28th June
DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU	Dungsingma, Yurung Pemagatshel	28th June
KURJEY TSHECHU	Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	28th June
KHAMDANG TENDRA TSHECHU	Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse	27& 28th June
TRELDHA TSHECHU	Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse	28th June
THE SAKTEN TSHECHU	Yuejug, Sakteng	28th June
HA FESTIVAL	All Chiwogs in Jarey, Lhuentse	28th June – 2nd July
THE HAA SUMMER FESTIVAL	Dzongkhag Ground, Upper market, Haa	2nd weekend of July
HUNGLA CHOKHOR	Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse	14th – 16th Aug
LHAMOI DOEY-PHANG	Ringpung Dzong, Paro	27th July
MERAK TSECHU/ SEMI NOMAD FESTIVAL	Gengo, Merak	15th – 16th Aug
A-HOI BONCHOED	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	19th Aug
MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM FESTIVAL	Genekha, Thimphu	20th – 21st Aug
DONGDORLA DUECHOED	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	23rd – 26th Aug
TAKILA CHHAM	Takila Lhakhang, Lhuentse	29th – 31st Aug
KESIBI CHAA	Kesibi Lhakhang, Maenbi, Lhuentse	29th – 31st August
TAKILA CHHA FESTIVAL	Takila Lhakhang (old), Lhuentse	31st August
TOUR OF THE DRAGON (MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE)	Bumthang to Thimphu	7th September
CHUKOR	Shaksing goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse	4th – 14th September
CHHA	Chhusa & Zimpong, Kurtoe, Lhuentse	17th -19th September
THIMPHU DROMCHOE	Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu	20th September
BUM TASHI FESTIVAL	Gasa Dzong, Gasa	2nd October
DROMCHE	Rinpung Dzong, Paro	22nd September
GOENPUNG TSHECHU	Shumar/Goenpun, Pemagatshel	22nd – 24th September
KOTHAKPA TSHECHU	Shumar/Kothakpa, Pemagatshel	22nd – 24th September
HAA TSECHU	Lhakhang Karpo, Haa	22nd – 24th September
WANGDUE TSHECHU	Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang	22nd – 24th September
TERCHEN DRUPCHEN	Kichu Lhakhang, Paro	23rd September – 4th October
GELING GOENPA TSHECHU	Geyling Goenpa, Chukha	23rd – 24th September
LAMAI KUCHOED	Dorji Gompa, Tang, Bumthang	23rd – 25th September
SHAKSINGGOENPA TRADIONAL CHAM TSHECHU	Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse	23rd – 25th September
JANGCHUBLING WANG	Gangzur, Lhuentse	24th September
THIMPHU TSHECHU 2023	Tashichhodzong, Thimphu	24th – 26th September
TAMSHING PHALA CHOEDPA	Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	24th – 26th September
NEY, JANG AND GANGZUR CHHA	Gangzur, Lhuentse	24th – 26th September
DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU	Dungsingma, Yurung , Pemagatshel	27th – 29th September
NANGKOR TSHECHU	Shumar, Pemagatshel	27th – 29th September
GANGTEY TSHECHU	Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.	27th – 29th September
THANGBI MEWANG	Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang	29th – 30th September
KADAM TSHECHU	Kadam Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	28th – 30th September
PHUENTSHOLING THROMDE TSECHU	Pelden Tashichoelling Shedra, Phuentsholing	29th September
KHOMSHAR KHARPHU	Khomshar, Zhemgang	29th September
DANKALA MANI (MANTRA)/TSHECHU-	Dankala lhakhang Shaba, Paro	29th September
LAYA AULAY	Laya, Gasa	22nd – 28th october
JOMOLHARI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL	Jangkothang, Upper Paro	14th – 15th October
SHINGKHAR RABNEY	Shingkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	20th – 24th September
“BHO-YAK”	Janka-kha at upper valley of Haa.	21st October
ROYAL HIGHLAND FESTIVAL	Laya, Gasa	23rd – 24th October
JAKAR TSHECHU	Jakar Dzong, Bumthang	21st – 25th October
CHUKHA TSHECHU	Chukha Ngedrubtse Dzong, Chukha	23rd – 24th October
LANYIRI TSHECHU	Lanyiri Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel	22nd – 24th October
UGYENCHOLING KANGSEL	Ugyencholing Dzong, Tang, Bumthang	22nd – 24th October
TSHEBAR TSHECHU	Tshebar Lhakhang, Khar, Pemagatshel	23rd – 25th October
GOENKAR TSECHU	Goenkar, Khoma, Lhuentse	23rd – 25th October
DECHENPHUG TSECHU	Dechenphug lhakhang, Thimphu	24th October
DUNGMED TSHECHU	Dungmed Lhakhang, Dungmin, Pemagatshel	26th – 28th October
PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU	Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel	26th – 28th October
CHANGANGKHA LHAKHANG TSECHU	Changangkha Lhakhang Thimphu	27th October
TSHEPAMI THRONGDREL	Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro	28th October
LAYA RUN	Laya, Gasa	23rd October
JAMBAY LHAKANG SINGYE CHAM	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	27th November
JAMBAY LHAKANG DRUP	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	28th – 31st October
PRAKAR DUECHOE	Prakar Lhakang, Bumthang	29th – 31st October
PANBANG TSECHU	Sonamthang Dratshang, zhemgang	2nd – 4th November
SERZHONG TSECHU	Do-Ngag Kuenzangcholing Lhakhang, Serzhong, Sarpang	22nd – 24th October
BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY JIGME SINGYE WANGCHUCK		11th November
BLACK NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL	Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.	11 November
BIRD FESTIVAL	Tingtibi, Zhemgang	11th -13th November
SUMTHRANG KANGSEL	Sumthrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	9th – 13th November
KHOMSHAR KATAG	Khomshar, Zhemgang	12th November
YESHEY GOENPOI DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF MAHAKALA	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	18th – 20th November
MONGAR TSECHU	Mongar Dzong, Mongar	19th – 22nd November
TANG NAMKHAR RABNEY	Tang Namkhar Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang	21st – 22nd November
DECHENLING TSHECHU	Dechenling Lhakhang, Dechenling, Pemagatshel	20th – 22nd November
MENCHU PEMAPHUENDEY	Norbugang, Pemagatshel	20th – 22nd November
PEMA YOESELCHOLING GOENPA TSECHU	Kencholing, Geog: Shompangkhag, Sarpang	4th November
GEOKAR LHAKHANG TSHECHU	Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse	22nd – 27th November
DOEDEL PEMACHOLING TSHECHU	Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashi Yangtse	24th – 28th November
GOSHING TSECHU	Goshing Trong, Zhemgang	25th – 26th November
PHUMITHANG TSECHU	Phumithang Dratshang, Zhemgang	25th – 27th November
GAMUNG TSHECHU	Shumar/Gamung, Pemagatshel	25th – 27th November
GONGPHU TSECHU	Gongphu, Zhemgang	25th – 27th November
BULI TSECHU	Buli, Zhemgang	25th – 27th November
KHANGMA TSHECHU	Khangma Lhakhang, Yurung, Pemagatshel	26th – 28th November
BJOKA TSECHU	Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang	26th – 29th November
CHOJAM RABNEY	Chojam Lhakahng, Tang, Bumthang	27th November
LADRONG RABNEY	Ladrong Lhakhang, Jarey, Lhuentse	26th – 30th November
BONCHOED	Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang	27th November
KHARPHU BONCHOED	Shingkhar, Zhemgang	27th November
MAMUNG TSECHU	Mamung Trong, Zhemgang	27th November
TASHIBI TSECHU	Tashibi, Zhemgang	27th November
NANGLA TSECHU	Nangla, Trong, Zhemgang	27th November
BONCHOED	Buli/Tali/Kikhar/Nangkhor, Zhemgang	27th November
THRISA TSECHU	Thrisa, Zhemgang	27th – 30th November
LANGDURBI BONCHOED	Langdurbi, Zhemgang	27th – 29th November
NGA LHAKHANG ZHI	Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	27th – 29th November
BARDO KHARPHU	Bardo, Zhemgang	27th – 30th November
CHUZANGANG TSECHU	Chuzangang Lhakhang, Serzhong, Sarpang	15th November
SHINGKHAR TSECHU	Shingkhar, Zhemgang	27th November – 1st December
WAMLING TSECHU	Wamling, Zhemgang	27th November – 1st December
PANGKHAR CHOEDPA	Pangkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	7th – 12th December
MONPA Festival	Jangbi, Trongsa	10th December
JANGCHUBLING TSECHU	Gangzur, Lhuentse	10th – 11th December
DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU	Dochula, Thimphu	13th December
LOMBA	Individual House, Haa and Paro	11th December
DUNGKAR TSHECHU	Kurtoe, Lhuentse	20th – 22nd December
TRONGSA ANNUAL TSHECHU	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	20th – 23rd December
LHUENTSE DZONG (LHUENTSE TSHECHU):	Gangzur Lhuentse	19th – 23rd December
SAMDRUP JONGKHAR ANNUAL TSECHU	Samdrup Jongkhar Rabdey	24th – 26th December
KILUNG CHOTPA	Gangzur, Lhuentse	25th and 26th December

FESTIVAL NAME	PLACE	DATE
Lhamoi Dromche	Trongsa	Feb 15-17
Punakha Drupchen	Punakha	Feb 16-18
Punakha Tshechu	Punakha	Feb 19-21
Tharpaling Thongdrol	Chumi,Bumthang	feb 24
Tangsibi Mani	Ura,Bumthang	Feb 24-26
Bhutan International Marathon	Annual Event Organised	mar 5
Gomphukora	Trashigang	Mar 17-19
Talo Tshechu	Talo,Punakha	Mar 17-19
Gasa Tshechu	Gasa	Mar 17-19
Zhemgang Tshechu	Zhemgang	Mar 17-19
Paro Tshechu	Paro	Mar 21-25
Chhorten Kora	Trashiyangtse	Mar 25 & April 8
Rhododendron festival	Lampelri Botanical Garden,Dochula	April 19-21
Domkhar Tshechu	Chumi,Bumthang	April 18-20
Ura Yakchoe	Ura,Bumthang	April 20-24
Nimalung Tshechu	Chumi,Bumthang	June 14-16
Kurjey Tshechu	Choekor,Bumthang	June 16
Haa Summer Festival	Haa	July 14-15
Mushroom festival	Genekha, Thimphu	Aug 15-16
Masutaki Mushroom festival	Ura,Bumthang	Aug 23-24
Tour of the Dragon-Bicycle Race	Bumthang-Thimphu	sept 5
Thimphu Drupchen	Thimphu	Sep 8
Paro Dromche	Paro	Sep 10
Wangdue Tshechu	Wangduephodrang	Sep 11-13
Thimphu Tshechu	Thimphu	Sep 12-14
Tamshing Phala Choepa	Tamshing,Bumthang	Sep 13-15
Gangtey Tshechu	Gangtey, Phobjikha Valley	Sep 16-18
Thangbi Mani	Choekor,Bumthang	Sep 17-19
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival	Dangochang (Jhomolhari Base Camp)	Oct 14-15
Royal Highland festival		Oct 23-24
Chukha Tshechu	Chukha	Oct 10-12
Jakar Tshechu	Choekor,Bumthang	Oct 10-12
Jambhay Lhakhang Drup	Choekor,Bumthang	Oct 17-21
Prakhar Duchhoed	Chumi,Bumthang	Oct 18-20
Dechenphu Tshechu	Thimphu	nov 3
Black Neckedl Crane festival	Phobjikha Valley	nov 11
Goenpi Dromche	Trongsa	Nov 6-8
Mongar Tshechu	Mongar	Nov 9-11
Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang	Nov 9-11
Jambhay Lhakhang Singye Cham	Bumthang	nov 15
Pemagatshel Tshechu	Pema Gatshel	Nov 9-11
Nalakhar Tshechu	Bumthang	Nov 15-17
Druk Wangyel Tshechu	Dochula	Dec 13
Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa	Dec 8-10
Lhuentse Tshechu	Lhuentse	Dec 8-10