Public holidays in Bhutan
Encyclopedia
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holiday
s and local festivals called tsechu
s. While national holidays are observed throughout Bhutan
, tsechus are only observed in their areas. Bhutan uses its own calendar, a variant of the lunisolar
Tibetan calendar
. Because it is a lunisolar calendar, dates of some national holidas and most tsechu
s change from year to year. For example, the new year, Losar
, generally falls between February and March.
has sixteen public holiday
s. Bhutanese holidays are rooted in Drukpa Kargyu Buddhism
, the Wangchuck dynasty, the Tibetan calendar
, nature, and to a lesser extent, the Lhotshampa Hindu community
and modernization. Even secular holidays, however, have a measure of religious overtone, as religious choreography and blessings mark these auspicious days.
: nyin-long; "return of the sun"), the winter solstice
celebration, is a public holiday falling on the seventh day of the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar
. Nyinlog is considered the most auspicious day of the year. It is celebrated like new year among some western Bhutan, though more so in the central and eastern regions, where the shortest day of the year is marked with archery and feasting. Farmers, on the other hand, may feel some chagrin as the solstice signals longer and longer work days ahead.
. The main purpose behind this holiday is to give thanks to Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal
, the founder of Bhutan
. It also focuses on charity, particularly feeding others, and recreation. The day is celebrated with feasting and traditional sports, including archery
, digor
, and khuru
(darts
). This holiday may have originally begun as a Bhutanese new year celebration.
(Dzongkha: ལོ་གསར་; Wylie
: lo-gsar), the Tibetan new year, is celebrated between February and March, officially on the 1st month, 1st day of the Tibetan calendar
. Festivities last 15 days, ahead of which people spend much time preparing food and alcohol and cleaning their homes of old and unused objects. In Bhutan, different communities celebrate Losar at slightly different times and refer to the holiday by particular local names. The common Losar greeting is "tashi delek."
Ngawang Namgyal
in 1651 at Punakha Dzong
. It generally falls in April or May (4th month, 10th day of the Tibetan calendar
). The holiday is a national day of mourning.
the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who began Bhutan's first steps toward modernization (b. 1928, Thruepang Palace, Trongsa
).
, the 4th Druk Gyalpo (1974). It also doubles as Social Forestry Day, where children plant trees.
, a public holiday commemorating the Nirvana
of Gautama Buddha
.
.
(Dzongkha: thruebab) generally falls in September, and is held on an auspicious day during monsoon season. The traditional holiday has not always been a public holiday, but was rather recently reinstated to official status. The event is marked by feasting, drinking alcohol, playing traditional sports, and purification through washing
. In some parts of Pemagatshel
, the traditional celebrations are more intense than those of even Losar
.
(and Lhotshampa
) Hindu
festival, falls on October 6. During this holiday, houses are cleaned and replastered, gifts are exchanged, and families gather. Dashain has been a nationwide public holiday in Bhutan since 1980.
, the 4th Druk Gyalpo (b. 1955, Dechencholing Palace, Thimphu
). The holiday is also called Constitution Day
; under this king and at his behest, the Constitution of Bhutan
was enacted.
is a public holiday generally falling in November (on the 9th month, 22nd day of the Tibetan calendar
). Lhabab Duchen marks Gautama Buddha
's return to earth after attaining Nirvana. In the eastern regions of Bhutan, the holiday is a popular occasion for performing Lhasoel, which are religious offerings in the form of ara
(traditional wine), blessings, and supplications.
of Bhutan is December 17. The date marks the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck
as the first Druk Gyalpo of modern Bhutan. Celebrations are held at Changlimithang Stadium
, and include a public address by the Druk Gyalpo and a procession including a statue of Ugyen Wangchuck to honor the first Druk Gyalpo and the independent Bhutanese nation.
Numerous tsechu
s, or festivals, take place for up to five days each at different locales across Bhutan
. These usually feature large-scale pageantry and costumes, allegorical dances, archery
, and music
. These festivals are centuries-old traditions functioning not only as links to the past, but among modern day people who gather from far and near.
Below is a list of major tsechus in Bhutan, along with their 2011 dates. Dates in other years will vary.
National holiday
National holiday may refer to:*A National Day, in which a country celebrates its independence, establishment or an otherwise significant event....
s and local festivals called tsechu
Tsechu
Tsechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism...
s. While national holidays are observed throughout Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
, tsechus are only observed in their areas. Bhutan uses its own calendar, a variant of the lunisolar
Lunisolar calendar
A lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. If the solar year is defined as a tropical year then a lunisolar calendar will give an indication of the season; if it is taken as a sidereal year then the calendar will...
Tibetan calendar
Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
. Because it is a lunisolar calendar, dates of some national holidas and most tsechu
Tsechu
Tsechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism...
s change from year to year. For example, the new year, Losar
Losar
Losar is the Tibetan word for "new year." lo holds the semantic field "year, age"; sar holds the semantic field "new, fresh". Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet....
, generally falls between February and March.
National holidays
BhutanBhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
has sixteen public holiday
Public holiday
A public holiday, national holiday or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year....
s. Bhutanese holidays are rooted in Drukpa Kargyu Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, the Wangchuck dynasty, the Tibetan calendar
Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
, nature, and to a lesser extent, the Lhotshampa Hindu community
Lhotshampa
Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:...
and modernization. Even secular holidays, however, have a measure of religious overtone, as religious choreography and blessings mark these auspicious days.
Winter solstice
Nyinlog or Nyilog (Dzongkha: ཉིན་ལོང་; WylieWylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
: nyin-long; "return of the sun"), the winter solstice
Winter solstice
Winter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...
celebration, is a public holiday falling on the seventh day of the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar
Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
. Nyinlog is considered the most auspicious day of the year. It is celebrated like new year among some western Bhutan, though more so in the central and eastern regions, where the shortest day of the year is marked with archery and feasting. Farmers, on the other hand, may feel some chagrin as the solstice signals longer and longer work days ahead.
Traditional Day of Offering
The Traditional Day of Offering (Dzongkha: buelwa phuewi nyim) is a holiday usually falling in January or February, on the 1st day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendarTibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
. The main purpose behind this holiday is to give thanks to Shabdrung
Shabdrung
Shabdrung , was a title used when referring to or addressing great lamas in Tibet, particularly those who held a hereditary lineage...
Ngawang Namgyal
Ngawang Namgyal
Ngawang Namgyal was a Tibetan Buddhist lama and the unifier of Bhutan as a nation state...
, the founder of Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
. It also focuses on charity, particularly feeding others, and recreation. The day is celebrated with feasting and traditional sports, including archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, digor
Digor (sports)
Digor is a traditional sport in Bhutan, resembling the sport of shot put.‘Degor’ is a traditional Bhutanese game which is often mistakenly referred in literatures as a kind of shot put by foreign authors. It differs from shot put in many ways...
, and khuru
Khuru
Khuru is a town in central-western Bhutan. It is located in Punakha District. Khuru literally means "Darts" in Bhutan.Population 2,292 ....
(darts
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
). This holiday may have originally begun as a Bhutanese new year celebration.
Losar
LosarLosar
Losar is the Tibetan word for "new year." lo holds the semantic field "year, age"; sar holds the semantic field "new, fresh". Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet....
(Dzongkha: ལོ་གསར་; Wylie
Wylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
: lo-gsar), the Tibetan new year, is celebrated between February and March, officially on the 1st month, 1st day of the Tibetan calendar
Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
. Festivities last 15 days, ahead of which people spend much time preparing food and alcohol and cleaning their homes of old and unused objects. In Bhutan, different communities celebrate Losar at slightly different times and refer to the holiday by particular local names. The common Losar greeting is "tashi delek."
Birthday of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
February 21–23 are holidays commemorating the birth anniversary of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo.Shabdrung Kurchoe
Shabdrung Kurchoe marks the passing of ShabdrungShabdrung
Shabdrung , was a title used when referring to or addressing great lamas in Tibet, particularly those who held a hereditary lineage...
Ngawang Namgyal
Ngawang Namgyal
Ngawang Namgyal was a Tibetan Buddhist lama and the unifier of Bhutan as a nation state...
in 1651 at Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong
The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures...
. It generally falls in April or May (4th month, 10th day of the Tibetan calendar
Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
). The holiday is a national day of mourning.
Birthday of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
May 2 is the birth anniversary of Jigme Dorji WangchuckJigme Dorji Wangchuck
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was the Third Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.He began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization...
the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who began Bhutan's first steps toward modernization (b. 1928, Thruepang Palace, Trongsa
Trongsa
Trongsa, previously Tongsa , is a town and capital of Trongsa District in central Bhutan. The name means "new village" in Dzongkha. The first temple was built in 1543 by the Drukpa Kagyu lama, Ngagi Wangchuk, who was the great-grandfather of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the person who unified...
).
Coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
June 2 is the coronation day of the Jigme Singye WangchuckJigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006...
, the 4th Druk Gyalpo (1974). It also doubles as Social Forestry Day, where children plant trees.
Parinirvana of Bhuddha
June 15 is Parinirvana DayParinirvana Day
Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia. By some it is celebrated on 8 February, but by most on 15 February. It celebrates the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body...
, a public holiday commemorating the Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
of Gautama Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
.
Birthday of Guru Rinpoche
July 10 marks the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche, the founder of BhutanBhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
.
Blessed Rainy Day
Blessed Rainy DayBlessed Rainy Day
Blessed Rainy Day is the holiday marking the end of the monsoon season in Bhutan. On this day all natural water resources in the country are considered to be sanctifying and citizens are encouraged to take an outdoor bath to be cleansed of "bad deeds, obstructions and defilements" and accumulated...
(Dzongkha: thruebab) generally falls in September, and is held on an auspicious day during monsoon season. The traditional holiday has not always been a public holiday, but was rather recently reinstated to official status. The event is marked by feasting, drinking alcohol, playing traditional sports, and purification through washing
Ablution
Ablution in religion is a prescribed washing of part or all of the body or of possessions, such as clothing or ceremonial objects, with the intent of purification or dedication.In Christianity, both baptism and footwashing are forms of ablution...
. In some parts of Pemagatshel
Pemagatshel
Pemagatshel District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan.-Language:...
, the traditional celebrations are more intense than those of even Losar
Losar
Losar is the Tibetan word for "new year." lo holds the semantic field "year, age"; sar holds the semantic field "new, fresh". Losar is the most important holiday in Tibet....
.
Dashain
Dashain, the main NepaleseNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
(and Lhotshampa
Lhotshampa
Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:...
) Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
festival, falls on October 6. During this holiday, houses are cleaned and replastered, gifts are exchanged, and families gather. Dashain has been a nationwide public holiday in Bhutan since 1980.
Coronation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
November 1 marks the coronation day of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo (2008).Birthday of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
November 11 marks the birth anniversary of Jigme Singye WangchuckJigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006...
, the 4th Druk Gyalpo (b. 1955, Dechencholing Palace, Thimphu
Thimphu
Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961...
). The holiday is also called Constitution Day
Constitution of Bhutan
The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan...
; under this king and at his behest, the Constitution of Bhutan
Constitution of Bhutan
The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan...
was enacted.
Lhabab Duchen
Lhabab DuchenLhabab Duchen
Lhabab Düchen is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Lhabab Düchen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth month on a Tibetan calendar....
is a public holiday generally falling in November (on the 9th month, 22nd day of the Tibetan calendar
Tibetan calendar
The Tibetan calendar is a lunisolar calendar, that is, the Tibetan year is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year.The Tibetan New Year...
). Lhabab Duchen marks Gautama Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
's return to earth after attaining Nirvana. In the eastern regions of Bhutan, the holiday is a popular occasion for performing Lhasoel, which are religious offerings in the form of ara
Ara (drink)
Ara, or Arag, is a traditional alcoholic beverage consumed in Bhutan. Ara is made from rice, maize, millet, or wheat, and may be either fermented or distilled. The beverage is usually a clear, creamy, or white color.-Production:Ara is most commonly made from rice or maize at private homes or farms...
(traditional wine), blessings, and supplications.
National Day
The National DayNational Day
The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler . Often the day is not called "National Day"...
of Bhutan is December 17. The date marks the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck
Ugyen Wangchuck
Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck was the first King of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926.He was born in 1862 to Jigme Namgyal, penlop of Trongsa and Ashi Pema Choki. He succeeded his father as Penlop of Trongsa...
as the first Druk Gyalpo of modern Bhutan. Celebrations are held at Changlimithang Stadium
Changlimithang Stadium
Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, which serves as the National Stadium. It is currently used mostly for football and archery matches. The stadium holds 25,000...
, and include a public address by the Druk Gyalpo and a procession including a statue of Ugyen Wangchuck to honor the first Druk Gyalpo and the independent Bhutanese nation.
Tsechus
Tsechu
Tsechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism...
s, or festivals, take place for up to five days each at different locales across Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
. These usually feature large-scale pageantry and costumes, allegorical dances, archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, and music
Music of Bhutan
The music of Bhutan is an integral part of its culture and plays a leading role in transmitting social values. Traditional Bhutanese music includes a spectrum of subgenres, ranging from folk to religious song and music. Some genres of traditional Bhutanese music intertwine vocals, instrumentation,...
. These festivals are centuries-old traditions functioning not only as links to the past, but among modern day people who gather from far and near.
Below is a list of major tsechus in Bhutan, along with their 2011 dates. Dates in other years will vary.
| Date | Tsechu | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 02–04 | Trongsa Tsechu | Trongsa Trongsa District Trongsa District is one of the districts of Bhutan. It is the most central district of Bhutan and the geographic centre of Bhutan is located within it at Trongsa Dzong.... |
| January 02–04 | Lhuntse Tsechu | Lhuntse |
| January 02–04 | Pemagatshel Tsechu | Pemagatshel |
| January 09 | Shingkhar Metochodpa | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| January 09–13 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Trongsa Trongsa District Trongsa District is one of the districts of Bhutan. It is the most central district of Bhutan and the geographic centre of Bhutan is located within it at Trongsa Dzong.... |
| February 10–15 | Punakha Dromache & Tshechu | Punakha Punakha District Punakha District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. It is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts... |
| February 17–21 | Tangsibi Mani | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| February 18 | Chorten Kora | Trashiyangtse |
| February 18 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| February 19–21 | Buli Mani Chumey | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| February–March (1st month, 7th day) |
Trashiyangtse Tsechu | Trashiyangtse |
| March 04 | Chorten Kora (2nd) | Trashiyangtse |
| March 13–15 | Gomkora | Trashigang |
| March 13–15 | Talo Tsechu | Talo, Punakha Punakha District Punakha District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. It is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts... |
| March 13–16 | Zhemgang Tsechu | Zhemgang |
| March 15–19 | Paro Tshechu | Paro Paro District Paro District is the name of a district , valley, river and town in Bhutan. It is one of the most historic valleys in Bhutan. Both trade goods and invading Tibetans came over the pass at the head of the valley, giving Paro the closest cultural connection with Tibet of any Bhutanese district... |
| March 17–19 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chukha |
| April 01–03 | Gaden Chodpa | Ura Ura Gewog -References:... , Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| May 12–14 | Domkhar Festival | Chhume Chhume Gewog -References:... , Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| May 14–18 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Ura Gewog -References:... , Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| June 19–21 | Padsel–Ling Kuchod | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| June | Laya Bumkhosa Festival (Bongkor) | Laya Laya Gewog Laya Gewog is a gewog of Gasa District, Bhutan. The capital of gewog is the town Laya.... |
| July 08–10 | Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| July 09–10 does not move |
Alpine | Ha Ha, Bhutan Ha or Has is a town and seat of Haa District in Bhutan.Ha is situated in the west of the Sandalwood Kingdom near Sikkim in the Ha Valley. The major economic activity is rice production. It contains two Buddhist temples.-Further reading:... , Haa Haa District This page is about the area Haa. For information about the airships, please see high-altitude airship.Haa District is one of the 20 dzongkhag or districts comprising Bhutan. Per the 2005 census, the population of Haa dzongkhag was 11,648, making it the second least populated dzongkhag in Bhutan... |
| July 10 | Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| July 29 | Gangte Kurim | Gangte Gangte Gewog Gangteng Gewog is a gewog of Wangdue Phodrang District, Bhutan. It was previously known as Gangte.... , Wangdue Phodrang |
| October 01–05 | Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu Thimphu District Thimphu District is a dzongkhag of Bhutan. Thimphu is also the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the whole kingdom.-Languages:... |
| October 04–06 | Wangdue Tsechu | Wangdue Phodrang Wangdue Phodrang Wangdue Phodrang District is a dzongkhag of central Bhutan. This is also the name of the dzong which dominates the district, and the name of the small market town outside the gates of the dzong... |
| October 04–06 | Gangte Drubchen & Tsechu | Gangte Gangte Gewog Gangteng Gewog is a gewog of Wangdue Phodrang District, Bhutan. It was previously known as Gangte.... , Wangdue Phodrang |
| October 06–08 | Tamshingphala Choepa | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| October 06–08 | Gasa Tsechu | District Gasa Gasa Gasa may refer to:* Gasa District, Bhutan and the district capital town of Gasa, Bhutan* Gasa Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines* Gasa Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines*Gasa , a form of Korean classical poetry... |
| October 06–08 | Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu Thimphu District Thimphu District is a dzongkhag of Bhutan. Thimphu is also the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the whole kingdom.-Languages:... |
| October 10–12 | Thangbi Mani | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| November 01–05 | Shingkhar Rabney | Ura Ura Gewog -References:... , Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| November 03–06 | Jakar Tsechu | Jakar Jakar Jakar is a town in the central-eastern region of Bhutan. It is the district capital of Bumthang District and the location of Jakar Dzong, the regional dzong fortress... , Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| November 10–14 | Jambay Lakhang Drup | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| November 11–13 | Prakhar Duchoed | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| November 12 does not move |
Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangte Gangte Gewog Gangteng Gewog is a gewog of Wangdue Phodrang District, Bhutan. It was previously known as Gangte.... , Wangdue Phodrang |
| November 22–25 | Sumdrang Kangsol | Ura Ura Gewog -References:... , Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| December 02–05 | Trashigang Tsechu | Trashigang |
| December 02–05 | Mongar Tsechu | Mongar Mongar District Mongar District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. Mongar is the fastest-developing dzongkhag in eastern Bhutan. A regional hospital has been constructed and the region is bustling with many economic activities. Mongar is noted for its lemon grass, a plant that can be used to produce... |
| December 03–04 | Tang Namkha Rabney Tang | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| December 10 | Singye Cham, Jambay Lhakhang | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| December 10–12 | Nalakhar Tsechu | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |
| December 10–13 | Chojam Rabney Tang | Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... |