Bumathang Tangbi Festival - 11 Days

Bumathang Tangbi Festival is about the dancers, who wear the masks of glorious demons and animals, who make your senses arouse, and who make your feelings fly high. When you watch the Atsara (clown dancer) dancing in a unique style, you will be surprised with their activities. Along with Atsara, you see other mimic dancers, entertainers, and deities. You will also be invoked through benediction. These deities bestow good luck upon you, as well as, repress your misfortunes. Along with their blessings, Buddhist monks produce the captivating sounds from the cymbal, drum, horn, and ‘mantras’ – all these will purify your hearts, minds, and souls.

Prior to Bumathang Tangbi festival, you visit the House of Incense, as well as, the House of Paper. In both the houses, you see people involved in making of incense and paper, and you also get an opportunity to purchase the highest quality of incense and paper products available in Bhutan. You then visit the Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, who ruled Bhutan from 1952 to 1972. You also visit Bhutan’s National Library, which has the ancient manuscripts and scrolls of Bhutan.

After enjoying Bumathang Tangbi Festival, you visit the gentle slope of Phobjikha, which is “the most beautiful slope of the Himalayan region.” Phobjikha is also the winter home of black-necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plain of the Tibetan Plateau. You conclude Bumathang Tangi Festival in Tiger’s Nest and follow the trail, which traverses the beautiful forest of pine and rhododendron. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed on the back of a flying tigress from Tibet to Tiger’s Nest. Many Bhutanese believe that he is the protector saint of Bhutan.