Festival-2010

February 20, 2009 · Filed Under TravelInfo · Comment

Festival Schedule for 2010

Please note that the dates are tentative. Please consult with us for confirmation.
Dates are based on Bhutanese Lunar Calendar which is same as Chinese Lunar Calendar.
This schedule is provided by Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) and Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB
The dates of the festival changes from year to year because they are based on the lunar calendar, which itself changes every year.

Bhutan Festival Schedule 2010
FESTIVAL	PLACE	DATES
Punakha Dromche	Punakha	20TH – 23RD FEB
Punakha Tshechu	Punakha	24TH – 26TH FEB
Chorten Kora	Trashiyangtse	28TH FEB & 15TH MAR
Tharpaling Thongdrol	Bumthang	28TH FEB
Thangsibi Mani (Ura)	Bumthang	27TH FEB – 3RDMAR
Bulli Mani (Chummi)	Bumthang	1ST – 3RD MAR
GADEN CHODPA (Ura)	Bumthang	13TH – 15TH MAR
Gomkora	Trashigang	23RD – 25TH MAR
Paro Tshechu	Paro	26TH – 30TH MAR
Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha	28TH – 30TH MAR
Domkhar Tshechu	Bumthang	23RD – 25TH APR
Ura Yakchoe	Bumthang	24TH – 28TH APR
Padsel-Ling Kuchod	Bumthang	2ND – 3RD JUN
Nimalung Tshechu	Bumthang	19TH – 21ST JUN
Kurjey Tshechu	Bumthang	21ST JUN
Thimphu Drupchen	Thimphu	12TH – 16TH SEPT
Wangdi Tshechu	Wangdi Phodrang	15TH – 17TH SEPT
Tamshingphala Choepa	Bumthang	16TH – 18TH SEPT
Thimphu Tshechu	Thimphu	17TH – 19TH SEPT
Tangbi Mani	Bumthang	22ND – 24TH SEP
Shingkhar Rabney (Ura)	Bumthang	13TH – 17TH OCT
Jakar Tshechu	Bumthang	15TH – 18TH OCT
Jambay Lakhang Drup	Bumthang	22ND – 26TH OCT
Prakhar Duchhoed	Bumthang	23RD – 25TH OCT
Sumdrang Kangsol (Ura)	Bumthang	2ND – 6TH NOV
Crane Festival	Phobjikha Valley	12TH NOV
Mongar Tshechu	Mongar	13TH – 16TH NOV
Pemagatsel Tshechu	Pemagatsel	13TH – 16TH NOV
Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang	14TH – 17TH NOV
Nalakhar Tshechu	Bumthang	21ST – 23RD NOV
Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa	15TH – 17TH DEC
Lhuntse Tshechu	Lhuntse	15TH – 17TH DEC
Please note that all efforts have been made to confirm the festival dates with Asssociation of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO). The dates of the festivals change from year to year because they are based on the lunar calendar, which itself changes every year.

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Flora & Fauna

February 19, 2009 · Filed Under TravelInfo · Comment

“Forming a major part of the fragile Eastern Himalayas Ecosystem, Bhutan is the hotbed of ecological diversity.

Environmentally, Bhutan is considered as one of the 10 hotspots in the world and as one of the 221 global endemic bird areas.”

Bhutan has 72% of its area under forest cover. Bhutan is one of the few developing countries where much of the natural resources base is still remain intact. One of the reasons is that people of Bhutan love their natural environment and have been living in harmony with its elements respecting the sanctity of life and revering the mountains, forests and rivers as abodes of gods and spirits.

The magnificent mountains and lush valleys of Bhutan harbor some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas. An estimated 770 species of birds and about 55 species of rhododendron, along with an astounding variety of medicinal plants (over 300 species) and orchids are endemic to this region..

The abundance of wild flowers, birds and many more plants are yet to be named, so there are many exciting opportunities to discover more about flora and fauna of this fascinating Himalayan Kingdom.

Bhutan has an impressive diversity of plants and animals because of its unique geographical location in the eastern Himalayas with its extensive altitudinal variation, from 150 meters in the south to over 7,000 meters in the north, which is accompanied by dramatic climatic changes.

This variations makes home for different animals and plants, for example in the southern part of Bhutan we have Asiatic elephants, Greater one-horned rhinos, Gaur, wild water buffalo, Hog Dear, Tiger, Clouded leopard, Hornbill, and other mammals and various species of birds.

In the north we have Blue sheep, Takin, Musk deer, Snow Leopard, wolf and more adoptable species whose range extends to both tropical and temperate zones live between this two extremes like, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, wild dog, wild boar etc. etc.

Nine national parks and wild life sanctuaries are home to some of the rare and most significant animals in the world. This has become possible as a result of the combined efforts of the government and the people to keep the country’s flora and fauna undisturbed.

Tags: Flora and Fauna

Festivals(Program Schedule)

February 19, 2009 · Filed Under TravelInfo · Comment

The festivals in Bhutan are numerous and have different names according to their types. The best-known and bigger events are the Tsechu.

Tsechu’ are festivals celebrated in honor of Guru Padmashambhava (one who was born from the lotus flower), popularly known under the name of Guru Rimpoche, the Precious Teacher. He has contributed enormously to the diffusion of Buddhism in the Himalayan regions. These great deeds all believed to have taken place on the 10^th day of the month, which is the meaning of the word Tsechu. All the Dzongs and monasteries have their annual festival and the largest being the Tsechu. Tsechu is also referred to as social gathering for the Bhutanese people who come together for rejoice and dressed in their fineries.

The dates and duration of Tsechu vary from one district to another but it takes place on or around the 10^th day of the month in the Bhutanese calendar. The dances are performed by monks as well as by laymen. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and Pema Lingpa composed many of the dances. The dancers take on the aspects of wrathful and compassionate deities, heroes, demons and animals. The dances known as Chham, brings blessing to the onlookers, to instruct them the teaching of Buddhist dharma, to protect them from misfortune and to exercise evil influences. The deities are invoked during the dances through their power and benediction. Misfortune may be annihilated, luck increased and wishes realized.

Some religious festivals include only a few dances and consist mostly of readings from a particular text. On these occasions, villagers assemble in a temple and participate in the prayers while at the same time drinking strong alcoholic beverages. Each village takes pride in its annual religious festival.

PARO FESTIVAL

Day One program of Paro festival

#Monk Procession to the festival ground

# Dance of the lord of death & his consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Costume: brocade long dress, buffalo mask

The Bodhisattava represents the body of wisdom of all the Buddhas. When he takes the appearance of the terrifying lord of death, he becomes the lord (jag) of the death (Shin) and thus is called Shinje. He is also the ruler of three worlds which he protects. His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents and blesses them before arrival on earth of the god of wisdom.

# The dance of the four stags (Shacham)

Costume: Knee-length skirts, deer masks.

Long ago when Ugyen Rimpoche was in this world, he subdued the king of the wind who created much unhappiness in this world through his great power. Ugyen Rimpoche rode the stag, which happened to be the mount of the god of the wind, when he subdue the earth and he appeased all beings by establishing peace and happiness.

# Dance of 21 black Hats (Shana)

Costume: Large black hat, felt boots, colorful brocade long dress

The black hat dancers assume the appearance of yogis who have the power of killing and recreating life. In order to lead to the field of Buddha who cannot be led by peaceful means, they subdue these enemies of the doctrine through their external compassionate anger but internally they have an accomplished peaceful mind.

This dance is derived from different traditions of the tantras (texts of northern Buddhism). They say that with the help of the gods who have meditated deeply upon the mantras (sacred formulas), which are the gestures of the dancers that hands are transformed into mudras (sacred mystic gestures) and their feet which pound the earth are forming a mandala (mystic cosmic figure)

# Dance of 21 black hats with drums (Shana Nga Cham)

Then when the black hat dancers have destroyed the malevolent enemies who persecuted the beings and the Buddhists, they beat the great drums of Buddhism. The sound of the drums represents the religion itself which cannot be represented in any other way because it has no visible form.

# Dance of the three kinds of ging (with sticks, with swords, with drums)

Costume: The Gings are wearing knee-length skirts, for the dance with sticks, they are wearing animal masks. For the dance with the drums and for the dance with the swords, they are wearing colorful terrifying masks.

The origin of the happiness of all beings in the three worlds is the religion of Buddha. To propagate this religion in the world, one must listen to the teachings then practice thinking and meditating. Any kinds of demons, human or non-human, who are creating obstacles to the doctrine and who have no fast powers and bad thoughts are called Jyungpo Nyulema. There are many means by way of magical formulas to subdue these male- violent spirits. On this subject, the great treasure discoverer, Pema Lingpa saw the dance of the three kinds of gings in his vision who are emanations of Ugyen Rimpoche. This was the blessing which explained how to subdue the demons Nyulema by magic. The ging with sticks find demons, catch them with hook of compassion, beat them with stick of wisdom and tie them with noose of compassion. The ging with swords purity the atmosphere from such bad deeds.

This dance is performed to bring good luck and wish happiness to all living beings.

# Kyecham

Costume: Knee-length yellow skirt, bare feet, animal mask, sword in the right hand.

This dance is historically related to a king named Norzang who had 500 queens. When the king leaves for battle, the protector of the faith, guardians of the doctrine and the assembly of the king’s tutelary deities become his armed companions and allies during the battle, from which the king emerges victorious. (This dance is inter related to Phole Mole)

# Dance of the noblemen and the Ladies (Phole Mole)

Once upon a time in a kingdom called Nadem in the north of India, there was a king called Norzang who had 500 queens. One day, the son of a hunter received a favor for saving the life force of a serpent deity (LU). He could borrow from this deity the noose which brings anything. With this noose, he caught the very beautiful daughter of King Driza, called Yidrogma, who was so beautiful that no human girls could compare. He offered her to King Norzang who became passionately attached to her. When the king stopped looking after all queens, they could not bear it. So they asked Hari, by black magic caused King Zorzang father to be disturbed by a dream which was in the form of prophecy. This prophecy said that the father and son had enemies, savage men from the north and that if they did not find a way of subduing these immediately far away from the kingdom, it will be too late and the kingdom will be destroyed. Following his father’s command, king Zorzang had to leave for north but his wife Yidrogma was not happy and asked him to take her along. The king explained her in detail that he could not take women in war. She gave him a ring, one of her clothes and the white silk which covered her head. The king left for north and conquered his enemies. When he returned to his kingdom, he found Yidrogma fled to her to father with her magical power. The king welcomed her back and once again she came to the human and lived happily with king Norzang.

The actors are two princes, two princesses an couple and the clowns. The two princes are going to war and are leaving the two princesses in the care of the old couple. As soon as they depart, the clowns try to frolic with the princesses and corrupt the old woman who is also behaving quite badly. When they return, the princes are scandalized by the behavior of the princesses and cut off their noses as a punishment. The old woman has her nose cut off also. The n a doctor is called to put the noses back but the old woman smell so badly that he has to use a stick as he do not want to approach her. Finally the princes marry princesses and everybody is reconciled.

# Dance of the stag and the hounds (Shawa Shachi)

This depicts the conversion to Buddhism of a hunter named Gompo Dorji by the great saint Milarepa. More like a theatrical play than the other dances, it is very long and is usually performed into two parts

Day two

# Procession:

The assembly of the Buddhas of the ten directions and the Bodhisattavas are doing the benefit of the living beings. When they go and visit each other in their numerous paradises, they greet mutually with unbelievable clouds of miraculous offerings and by spreading inexhaustible auspicious offerings flowers. They do this form of greeting because people and things to be honored have to be saluted in such a manner.

Similarly, in order for the sentient beings to get such accomplished virtue, the procession is arranged and it is a mean to acquire faith in the unsurpassed religion.

# Dance of the lord of death and his consort

Costume: Long brocade dress, buffalo mask

The Bodhisattava Manjusri, represents the body of wisdom of all the Buddhas.

When he takes the appearance of the terrifying lord of death, he becomes the lord (Je) of the dead (shin) and thus is called Shinje. Being the lord of death, he is also the ruler of the three worlds which they protect. His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents and blesses them before the arrival on earth of the gods of wisdom.

# Wuchupai Zhey

This is a regional celebration dance and song from Wuchu under Paro district in western Bhutan. The verses praises offered to the saints and gurus. The disciples and devotees pray for eternity of the Guru’s body, speech and mind.

# Dance of the 21 black hats with drums (Shana nga Chham)

In this performance, dancers destroy spiteful persecutors of beings and enemies of Buddhism by beating their great drums. The sound of the drums represents religion and the invisible form of Buddhism.

# The Dance of the three kinds of Ging: with sticks, with swords, with drums.

Costume: The Gings (emanation of Guru Rimpoche) are wearing knee-length skirts. For the dance with the sticks and for the dance with the swords, they are wearing animal mask. For the dance with drums, they are wearing colorful terrifying masks.

This dance is performed to bring good luck and happiness to all beings. It is considered a blessing and is connected with religious ceremonies. This dance was appeared in Pema Lingpa’s dream and thus he introduces this dance to subdue demons called Nyulema who were creating obstacles to the religion. The Gings with their sticks find them and catch them with hook of compassion, beat them with stick of wisdom and tie them with the noose of compassion. The Ging with sword purify the atmosphere and send their mind in the paradise with pure consciousness.

# Folk Song: Lho men jong ‘The southern valley of medicinal herbs”, the ancient name of Bhutan.

In this independent Kingdom of the southern valley of medicinal herbs, there is good sign of perfect happiness.

The Kingdom of the glorious Drukpa is higher than the sky. Let it have undisturbed fortune.

The fact that Shabdrung liked the name Tashichhodzong (the fort of the glorious religion) was an auspicious sign.

The Kingdom of the glorious Drukpa is higher than the sky!

# Dance of the lord of Cremation ground (Durdag)

Costume: white short skit, white boots, white skull mask

Two skeletons guard the eight cremation grounds, which are situated on the edges of the cosmic diagram where tantric deities dwell. Their mission is to protect the cosmic design from demonic influences.

# Dance of the ging with swords (driging). See above dance of the three kinds of ging

# Folk Song ( Gungngon Tashi yang Chag)

Blessings of good fortune come from the blue heaven. The sun is jewel that grants every wish. Thanks to the glorious Drukpa. From the center of fighting clouds…!

The cool breeze sends happiness. ………..

# Dance of the Ging with drums (Nga Ging). See above dance of three kinds of Ging.

# Folk Song: (Lha yul sa la pheb pa)

A diving country has raised n earth. The kingdom of glorious Drukpa where reigns perfect happiness in a radiant kingdom……………

# Dance of the stag and the hounds (Shawa Shachi)

Day Three

# Procession: Same as in previous days.

# Dance of the lord of cremation ground (see day two program)

# Folk Dance (Wang Shey)

This dance is from Thimphu district.

Omo lha sa mani………..

Dance of the terrifying deities (Tongam)

Costume: beautiful brocade dress, boots & terrifying mask.

The dancers represent the entourage of one of the forms of Guru Rimpoche, Guru Dorji Dragpo, who leads the dance. Armed with ritual daggers (phurpa), the dancers execute and redeem an evil spirit by liberating its conscious principle from its body.

# Dance of the heroes with six kinds of ornaments (Guan Drug Pawos)

They are named the heroes with six kinds of ornaments because of the fact that they are wearing five kinds of bone ornaments and they are holding in their hands a small drum and bell. For the purpose of the spectacle, these heroes arrive dancing in order to be seen by all. As the assembly of gods of the tantras awake to the sound of their divine drums; the gods from their state of difference, thus the heroes by the gestures of their bodies and by the sound of their melodies lead the sentient beings who are in the wheel of reincarnations along the path of liberation.

# Folk song (Zamling chi Tshok Doenyer)

In this world, there is particularly a holy country, in the center of the valley of medicinal herbs. On a fine and an auspicious day …………………

Kyecham (Accompaniment Dance)

Costume: Knee-length yellow skirt, bare feet, animal mask, sword in the right hand.

# Dance of the noblemen and the Ladies (Phole Mole)

# Keycham (See above)

# Dance of the stag and the Hounds (2nd part (Sawa Shachi)

Long ago, Jetsun Milarepa (1040-1123) was deeply meditating in a hermitage on the border between Nepal & Tibet, when he heard am man shouting and a dog barking. He went out of his cave and saw a red haired stag that was sweating from all over his body and trembling with fear. Because of his great compassion sang a religious song and the stag having forgotten his fear laid down on the right of the lama. Chasing the stag, a red dog arrived running as fast as lightening and full of anger. For the dog also, Milarepa sang a song and soon he allayed the temper of the dog. He laid down on the left of Lama and here were both the stag and the dog, lying down like mother and son. Following the dog, a hunter called Gonpo Dorji arrived. He was a frightening, fierce and strong man, carrying a bow and arrows. When he saw Lama, the stag and the dog sitting together, he wondered if the lama had cast a spell on the stag and the dog, he became enraged. He told lama, “you protect the stag and the dog”, let us see if you can protect yourself fro the arrow and shot a poisonous arrow. His bow and arrow broke into pieces, the string of the bow was cut and the arrow was turned against him. The hunter was full of incredulity. Lama to him, ‘Gonpo Dorji, your arrow is returned, now listen to my songs. As Milarepa was singing, a violent regret for whatever action he had done before was born in him and he confessed his bad deeds. He promised to take an oath not to commit sin again. He practiced the religion and attained full realization.

Day Four

# Procession (same as previous day)

# Dance of the four stags (see day one program)

# Folk song

# Dance of the rakshas and the judgment of the dead

When all beings die, they wander in the bardo (intermediate state) waiting to be led by the love of the Buddhas into the pure fields where no suffering exists. However, when the Buddhas who assume both their peaceful and terrifying forms appear to greet them, the men who during their lifetime had no fervent adoration for the Buddhist doctrine, do not recognize them as Buddhas and are frightened. Since the men do not recognize Buddhas and think they are enemies, they cannot be led into the paradise. The Buddhas however through their various manifestations do not stay indifferent and perform good deeds unto the beings until the cycle of rebirths is complete.

Shinje Chhogyle, lord of death, estimates of the value of the white and black deeds during the judgement. Also present are the white god and black demon which exist for every being from birth and all the Shibje’s helpers who emanate under numerous forms. There are ox-headed justice minister, the wild hog headed helper who takes account of the black and white deeds, the bird headed one who holds a small sword which cuts the root of the three poisons (ignorance, envy and anger) and a big hammer which destroy the rocky mountains of sins, the lion headed helper who holds a noose which represents love and an iron chain which represents compassion, the fierce bear headed helper who holds the magical noose which ties the mean and wisdom together and a saw which cuts selfishness, the serpent headed helper whose mirror reflects all actions, the monkey-headed helper who weighs the action on a scale.

All these helpers are called rakshas and they separate with equanimity the black actions from the white actions of all beings. (The dance can be describe as more of a play rather than a dance and lasts more than one and half hours)

# Folk song

The happy country of Bhutan is covered with sandal wood. If you see from east, the paradise of Mt. tsari is equaled. If you see from south, it is orated with beautiful lotuses and if you see from west it is well located in a dell and is like a hidden land……………….

Day Five

At dawn, the great Thanka (Thongdroel) is shown and a religious ceremony called Shugdrel is performed by the monk body of Paro dzong, presided by the head lama.

The thanka is hung on a wall and dances are performed in front of it. People come here to receive blessings. Monks perform blessing and offering ceremony followed by some dances like performed in previous days. The day concludes at around 10 Am with procession of monks. The huge thanka is folded soon after the sun light hit the ground.

End.

Tags: Bhutan Festivals