Tshechus – an exciting festival of colour and dance

The vibrant little nation of Bhutan boasts an intriguing culture punctuated by Buddhist spirituality that lends it a charm all its own. Of particular note is the annual “Tschechu”, which is a religious festival that translates to “tenth day”, and is hosted by the various religious institutions of the country. The best way to experience the excitement of a tshechu is from a Bhutan hotel such as the splendid Uma Bhutan. Tschechus are celebrated in a variety of ways that differ from city to city, and an ideal way to experience all of it is via a series of Bhutan tour packages that the hotel can easily help organize for you. Held to celebrate the birthday of the renowned Guru Padmasambhava, tshechus occur on the tenth day of the month according to the lunar calendar. Visitors will encounter them as events filled with grandeur and excitement, as it sees the merging of whole communities to absorb the spiritual ambiance of religious mask dances, to receive blessings, and to socialize. You will also witness Bhutanese dances of colour and pageantry. Custom dictates that a tshechu must be attended in order to receive divine blessings to absolve them of all sins. Each dance featured at the tshechu draws its inspiration from myths and stories dating back as far as the 8th century during the life of the Guru. Two of the country’s most popular tshechus are the Thimpu and Paro Tshechus in terms of the pageantry and immense crowds drawn. Visitors are sure to delight in these unique cultural events that make up Bhutan’s impressive historical legacy. 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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