Trongsa Tsechu - 11 Days

Trongsa Tsechu is one of the important festivals of the Bhutanese and is based on a lunar calendar. It is celebrated for 2 days. Before attending this festival, you visit the places of interest of Thimpu and after attending the festival you visit the places of interest of Bumathang, Wangdue, Paro and Punakha. Specifically speaking, Trongsa Tsechu takes place in Trongsa dzong, built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa in 1648 A.D. This dzong has an architectural wonder, and its strategic location is appealing, while its ancient structure affords you the unobstructed view of the valley, river, and roads. Trongsa Tsechu is also about an array of colorful brocades, which whirl in the air, as well as, about the dancers, who spin in “thunderbolt step,” and the monks, who wear the masks of glorious demons and animals. All these will arouse all your senses.

Just like in other festivals, in Trongsa Tsechu also, you see the people in new clothes; they want to please gods and stand around the main courtyard of the dzong. They participate in this festival wholly. The area, where you see the people dancing and religious activities taking place is distinguished by a marking line of red carpet You also see the “Atsatra” and the “Dakini” in the courtyard of the dzong. You also hear the sound of the horns. You also see the dancers in colorful clothes. You also see Guru Rimpoche, an incarnation of Lord Buddha, blessing the attendees.

After Trongsa Tsechu, you head off to Bumathang, which is a spectacular valley, and which is the heartland of Buddhism. This valley is also a meditating place for the great gurus. Bumathang is also famous for producing the best textile in Bhutan. Other places that you visit are Tiger’s Nest, White Bird Palace, Tamshing Monastery, and Wangdichholing Palace. You also do an excursion to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the Paro valley. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed in Takstang monastery on the back of a flying tigress from Tibet and established Nyingma School of Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan. Many Bhutanese believe that he is the protector saint of Bhutan.