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Thimphu Tshechu: A Break From The Farm Life

The Thimphu Tshechu is one of Bhutan's greatest festivals, celebrated annually in the capital of Thimphu. It is a three-day event held at the Tashichhodzong courtyard, featuring colorful Buddhist mask dances that depict stories and invoke the gods. The festival dates back to the 19th century but was expanded in the 1950s under the third king to include more dances performed by lay monks. Today, the festival is a time of celebration where people from across the country can take a break from work and enjoy the vibrant performances and prayers.

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Jose Raphael Delos Santos
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175 views3 pages

Thimphu Tshechu: A Break From The Farm Life

The Thimphu Tshechu is one of Bhutan's greatest festivals, celebrated annually in the capital of Thimphu. It is a three-day event held at the Tashichhodzong courtyard, featuring colorful Buddhist mask dances that depict stories and invoke the gods. The festival dates back to the 19th century but was expanded in the 1950s under the third king to include more dances performed by lay monks. Today, the festival is a time of celebration where people from across the country can take a break from work and enjoy the vibrant performances and prayers.

Uploaded by

Jose Raphael Delos Santos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Thimphu Tshechu: A Break from the Farm Life

One of the greatest and most-celebrated festivals in Bhutan is the Thimphu


Tshechu. It is a festival of which most Bhutanese people are celebrating and are free
from work, especially, the farmers who consider these days as a "break from farm
life". Thousands of people come over, even those from the neighboring Dhongkhags
(districts), to see and partake with the occasionthe colorful and vibrant dances that
depict stories and, of course, the days and nights of prayers. So, are you excited to
know what really is special to this event and what happens into it? Well then, go with
me as we dig more deeply into the festivity.
Thimphu Tshechuthimphu, meaning, day tenis celebrated on the tenth day
of every eighth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. It is being held every year on the
Tendrelthang (courtyard) of Tashichhodzong, which houses some ministries, office and
the throne room of the king and the central monk body.
Celebrating the festival started in the 1867, which was instituted by the fourth
Desi, a secular ruler, Gyale Tenzin Ragbay. This festival is made in honor of Guru
Rimpoche, who brought Bhuddism in Bhutan in the eighth century. The festival itself
lasts for three days and three nights, full of prayers and mask dances. That time, it
only consists of few dances, strictly performed by monks only, like Zhana chham,
Zhana Nga chham or the Dances of the 21 Black Hats, Durdag or the Dance of the
Lords of the Cremation Ground and the Tungam chham or the Dance of the Terrifying
Dieties. All these dances and rituals are being done to invoke to the gods.
However, in the 1950s, the third king, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, considered
as the Father of Modern Bhutan, made some modifications to the festival without
compromising its spiritual significance. His Majesty added more Boed chhams (mask
dances performed by lay monks) to the festival. Some of the dances that he added
include Guru Tshengye or the Eight Manifestations of Guru and the Shaw Shachi or the
Dance of the Stags. Many enjoy these new dances because they are similar to stagetheatre.
Nevertheless, what is so special with Bhutan and its Thimphu Tshechu that we
should visit?
First thing, Bhutan is a place with great diversity of terrain because the country
is situated on the southern slopes of the eastern end of the Himalayas; giving it lots of
boondocks, valleys, rivers brought about the melting of snow or monsoon rains, and
others. It is also known as the last Shangri-La on earth. One of the most famous
attractions in Bhutan is the Taktsang Monastery, which is located on the cliffside of the
Paro valley.
Second, Bhutans festivities are really vibrant and colourful. Proof of it is the
greatest and most attended festival of Bhutan, the Thimphu Tshechu. This is the time
of rejoicing, celebration and freedom from work for most of the people in the city,
even for many in the nearby Dzongkhags
Third and lastly, the experience with the people and their culture is worth
everything. Experiencing a new way of life is always exciting and it just feels good.

The people are so friendly and hospitable. Every foreigner would feel very welcomed.
And the food, oh! Foods from every place are awesome especially in Bhutan!
Overall, going to Bhutan is worth the travel and time. So, next time youre
choosing a place to visit, try Bhutan!

References
Bhutan Green Travel. (2011). Festival of thimphu drubchen &tshechu. Retrieved from
http://www.bhutan

green travel.com/CFTTHIMPHUTSHECHU.php

Tourism Council of Bhutan. (n.d.). Thiphu tshechu. Retrieved from


http://www.tourism.gov.bt/activities/thimphu-tshechu

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