Thimphu Tshechu or the Thimphu Festival is truly an amazing and popular event among locals and travelers. The capital city, Thimphu hosts the Tshechu.
Thousands gather to the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong to witness the colorful mask dances. The locals take part in the celebration in their finest traditional clothes and jewelry with their families. The annual religious festival begins on the 10th day of the 8th month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. It carries on for three continuous days.
During 18th century Guru Rinpoche introduced Buddhism in Bhutan. In the past, people say he traveled to Bumthang valley and performed the dance of Eight Forms of Guru Rinpoche. This was to bring back the life force of the dying King Sindhu Raja. He controlled the local deities with his supernatural Cham (dance) rituals, marking the beginning of the festival in Bhutan.
Monks and laymen stage this yearly. They perform the dance during the Thimphu Festival, in a colorful silk costumes and scary masks. These masks play important roles and carry huge influences.
The craftsmen design the masks to scare off immorality and distractions that harm Buddhists from deep meditation and prayer. More scary the mask the more power it has in protecting the worshiper.
The Devil Masks are the faces of the angry guardian deities who aim to save the faithful from destruction. Apart from masks dances, the Thimphu Festival also has other entertaining programs staged by a red clown (Atsara). This never fails to add the charm during the event. The dancers of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts perform these dances.
We believe antique designed masks are powerful, summoning gods and deities during the dance. Spiritual practices include chanting mantras, playing monastery instruments, and using hand gestures to convey different tales. A deeply rooted religious practice that you will experience and never regret the powerful emotion that floods into you.
It’s the great time of the year where people receive blessings. Witnessing the Cham (dances) cleanses the evil forces. People form a huge crowd at Thimphu Street and the open-air market along the Norzin Lham. This is basically dedication to celebrating the three day festival.
The activities include leisurely strolling, entertainments, shopping and food. The common beliefs and practices bring people together. They receive blessings, celebration, socialize and embrace the unique culture.
