Festival tour to bhutan
Bhutanese love to socialize, an integral part of the Bhutanese tradition and culture. Bhutanese love social gatherings and present themselves in spirit of celebration. If you wish to see Bhutanese from all walks of life making fun, play, flirt and drink alcohol during such festivities. Festivals are also considered annual gathering for the family members scattered across the country. Linked to spirituality, festivals are annual events in all corners of Bhutan. Tsechu (Tse- Date Chu – Ten) is the most recognized and respected amongst festivals conducted during the auspicious tenth day of the Bhutanese calendar. Tsechu invites big gatherings where Bhutanese want to see and be seen in best attires.
Tsechu is celebrated to remember and respect the great deeds of Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric master who spread Mahayana Buddhism in entire Himalayan region in the 8th century. It is during the 8th century that mask dances were invented. We will find Tsechus being dominated by multicolored Mask Dances of ancient times. Monks and lay persons in brilliant costumes perform Cham (mask dance) depicting the legendary events of religious significance. The music of cymbals, drums, large and small horns, conches and bells accompany the dancers as they bend, whirl and leap on the courtyard of a Dzong (Fortress). The mask dances are said to bring blessings to onlookers. In some cases, dancers wrap their heads with cloth strips to protect them from the weight of the masks. The dancers with colourful costumes represent the wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons, the dead and animals. Their movements tell the stories about history and fantasy. Atsaras(masked clowns) entertain the crowds, mimic the religious dancers and make fun of onlookers.
Festivals are rare opportunities to witness crowds of people gather in their finest hand woven dresses with bright patterns exhibiting the rich Bhutanese art and tradition. Local Bhutanese believe that presenting themselves in best attire in such occasions is another way of pleasing the deities, which brings them merit, luck and prosperity. The dances depict the religious and social lives and movements reflect deep devotion, compassion, tolerance, and harmonious living. The mask dancers represent the deities that are encountered when one journeys through the intermediate phase of death and rebirth.
Festivals are conducted in Dzongs and monasteries. Some monasteries are far flung while some are about half an hour walk from the motor able road. During these festival trips, you will travel to various parts of Bhutan depending on the tour programs you select.
Tsechu is celebrated to remember and respect the great deeds of Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric master who spread Mahayana Buddhism in entire Himalayan region in the 8th century. It is during the 8th century that mask dances were invented. We will find Tsechus being dominated by multicolored Mask Dances of ancient times. Monks and lay persons in brilliant costumes perform Cham (mask dance) depicting the legendary events of religious significance. The music of cymbals, drums, large and small horns, conches and bells accompany the dancers as they bend, whirl and leap on the courtyard of a Dzong (Fortress). The mask dances are said to bring blessings to onlookers. In some cases, dancers wrap their heads with cloth strips to protect them from the weight of the masks. The dancers with colourful costumes represent the wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons, the dead and animals. Their movements tell the stories about history and fantasy. Atsaras(masked clowns) entertain the crowds, mimic the religious dancers and make fun of onlookers.
Festivals are rare opportunities to witness crowds of people gather in their finest hand woven dresses with bright patterns exhibiting the rich Bhutanese art and tradition. Local Bhutanese believe that presenting themselves in best attire in such occasions is another way of pleasing the deities, which brings them merit, luck and prosperity. The dances depict the religious and social lives and movements reflect deep devotion, compassion, tolerance, and harmonious living. The mask dancers represent the deities that are encountered when one journeys through the intermediate phase of death and rebirth.
Festivals are conducted in Dzongs and monasteries. Some monasteries are far flung while some are about half an hour walk from the motor able road. During these festival trips, you will travel to various parts of Bhutan depending on the tour programs you select.
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