Tshechu is a religious festival meaning “tenth day” held annually in various temples, monasteries and dzongs throughout the country.
The Tshechu is a religious event celebrated on tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). However the exact month of the Tshechu varies from place to place and temple to temple.
Tshechus are grand events where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize. In addition to the mask dances, tshechus also include colorful Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainment.
It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins. Every mask dance performed during a Tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of Guru Padmasambhava. In monasteries, the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages, they are performed jointly by monks and village men.
Two of the most popular Tshechus in the country are the Paro and Thimphu Tshechus in terms of participation and audience. Besides the locals, many tourists from across the world are attracted to these unique, colorful and exciting displays of traditional culture.
Festival Calendar 2026
Si No. | Festival Name | Place | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lhamoi Dromchhen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 22nd Feb | 24th Feb |
2 | Punakha Dromchoe | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 24th Feb | 26th Feb |
3 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 27th Feb | 1st March |
4 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 3rd March | |
5 | Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang | 4th March | 6th March |
6 | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 3rd March & 19th March | |
7 | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtshe | 26th March | 28th March |
8 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 26th March | 28th March |
9 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 26th March | 28th March |
10 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 26th March | 28th March |
11 | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 29th March | 2nd April |
12 | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 13th April | 14th April |
13 | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang. | 26th April | 28th April |
14 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 28th April | 2nd May |
15 | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 22nd June | 24th June |
16 | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th June | |
17 | Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 5th Sep | |
18 | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 17th Sep | |
19 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 19th Sep | 21st Sep |
20 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang | 21st Sep | 23rd Sep |
21 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 21st Sep | 23rd Sep |
22 | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 24th Sep | 26th Sep |
23 | Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | 26th Sep | 27th Sep |
24 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel. | 18th Oct | 21st Oct |
25 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th Oct | 15th Oct |
26 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 19th Oct | 21st Oct |
27 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 21st Oct | |
28 | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang. | 18th Oct | 21st Oct |
29 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 26th Oct | 29th Oct |
30 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 27th Oct | 29th Oct |
31 | Haa Tshechu | Lhakhang Karpo, Haa | 19th Oct | 21 st Oct |
32 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. | 11th Nov | |
33 | Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 14th Nov | 16th Nov |
34 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 17th Nov | 19th Nov |
35 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. | 18th Nov | 20th Nov |
36 | Phuntsholing Tshechu | Phuntsholing, Chhukha | 17th Nov | 19th Nov |
37 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th Nov | |
38 | Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 24th Nov | 26th Nov |
39 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula , Thimphu | 13th Dec | |
40 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 17th Dec | 21st Dec |
41 | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 17th Dec | 21st Dec |
42 | Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 22nd Dec | 24th Dec |
43 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 24th Dec | 26th Dec |
