Paro Tsechu

Source: Tourism Council of Bhutan

Paro Tsechu: 25th March - 2nd April, 2013

The Paro tsechu in spring is a major attraction in Paro district. People come from neighbouring districts to participate in the festivity. On the final day, the best time to go is early in the morning as the monks of the Paro Dzong prepare to display a giant appliqué thangkha, the Guru Throngdel, inside the dzong.

Day 1: (inside the dzong)

Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Bodhisattva Manjusri – representing the wisdom of all Buddhas – takes on the appearance of the terrifying Lord of Death (Shinje). His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents.

Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)

A dance that takes place in cremation grounds. The dancers wear skull masks and represent protectors of the religion who live in the eight cremation grounds on the periphery of the symbolic Mt. Sumeru.

The Black Hat Dance (Shanag)

The black hat dancers assume the role of yogis with the power to subdue and create life. The dancers wear brocade robes, wide brimmed black hats and aprons with the face of a protective deity. This is an important dance that is also used in purification ceremonies during the construction of dzongs, temples, chortens.

Dance of the Drum from Dramitse (Dramitse Ngacham)

A dance inspired in meditation. The dance is a vision of Guru Rinpoche and his celestial palace, Zangdopelri. Here, Guru’s attendants are transformed into hundreds of peaceful and terrifying deities. The dance originated in Dramitse Monastery in eastern Bhutan and is considered a Bhutanese heritage.

Dance of the Eight Kinds of Spirits (Degye)

A dance of the gods of the three worlds (sky, earth, underground). The gods protect the doctrines of the Buddha and subdue the spirits who make the world unhappy. Endless happiness is recovered. The dance is performed by the gods (believed to be incarnated in the dancers themselves) to renew faith and wisdom.

Religious song (Chhoeshay)

This commemorates the opening of the gateway to the pilgrimage site of Tsari in eastern Tibet by the founder of the Drukpa School of Buddhism, Tsangpa Jarey.

Day 2: (outside the dzong)

Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Bodhisattva Manjusri – representing the wisdom of all Buddhas – takes on the appearance of the terrifying Lord of Death (Shinje). His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents.

Dance of the Black Hats with drums (Shanag Nga Cham)

A dance to signify the victory of religion over enemies. The sound of the drum represents religion itself.

Dance of the Three Kinds of Ging with sticks (Gingsum)

A dance signifying the subjugation of demons that are obstacles to religions. It takes place in Zangtopelri, the heavenly palace of Guru Rinpoche.

Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)

A dance that takes place in cremation grounds. The dancers wear skull masks and represent protectors of the religion who live in the eight cremation grounds on the periphery of the symbolic Mt. Sumeru.

Dance of the Three Kinds of Ging with drums (Driging)

After the demons are vanquished, the gings with the drums dance with happiness. They beat the drums of religion and the dance is performed to bring good luck to all beings and to wish them happiness. This dance brings blessings to all who watch it.

Dance of the Stag and the Hounds (Shawa Shachi) – 1st part

The dance tells a favourite tale of Milerepa who converts a hunter to Buddhism.



Day 3: Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)

A dance that takes place in cremation grounds. The dancers wear skull masks and represent protectors of the religion who live in the eight cremation grounds on the periphery of the symbolic Mt. Sumeru.

Dance of the Terrifying Deities (Tungam)

Dressed in beautiful brocade and terrifying masks, this is a deeply symbolic dance where a sacrificial murder is performed. Guru Rinpoche appears in a wrathful manifestation to save the world. The dance is meant to show all beings the way to salvation.

Dance of the Heroes with six kinds of ornaments (Guan Drug Pawo)

The heroes hold six ornaments – five rings of bone ornaments and a small drum and bell in their hands. By their gestures and the sound of their melodies, the heroes lead sentient beings from the wheel of reincarnation along the path of liberation.

Kyecham is an accompanying dance to the next dance. The kyecham dancers wear knee-length yellow skirts, and animal masks.

Dance of the Noblemen and Ladies (Pholeg Moleg)

A comical play that depicts the life of King Norzang. The play is full of bawdy and rustic humour as two princes and two princesses, and old couple and clowns enact a story of misbehaviour, deceit, and mistrust. The story ends happily with the princes marrying the princesses and reconciliation takes place as a lesson to life.

Dance of the Stag and the Hounds – 2nd part

This is a conclusion of the dance began on the second day. The saint Milarepa appears in a long white dress and converts the dogs, stag and the hunter with a song. The conversion is symbolised by the hunter and his dogs jumping a rope.



Day 4:

Dance of the Lord of Death and his Consort (Shinje Yab Yum)

Bodhisattva Manjusri – representing the wisdom of all Buddhas – takes on the appearance of the terrifying Lord of Death (Shinje). His wrathful buffalo face guards the four continents.

Dance of the Four Stags (Sha Tsam)

A dance that depicts Guru Rinpoche subduing the God of Wind who is believed to have created unhappiness on earth. Dancers dress as stags in yellow knee length dress and masks of the deer. The stag represents the mount of the God.

Dance of the Judgement of the Dead (Raksha Mangcham)

This dance is based on the Bardo (Book of the Dead). When beings die they wander in an intermediate state known as the bardo. They cross the bardo to meet their judgement by the Lord of Death. Also present is the white god and black demon who have been with every being from birth. The dance is like a play which depicts the judgement of a sinner and a virtuous man who goes to heaven. The rakshas are the helpers of the Lord of Death.

Dance of the Drums from Dramitse (Dramitse Nga Cham)

A dance inspired in meditation. The dance is a vision of Guru Rinpoche and his celestial palace, Zangdopelri. Here, Guru’s attendants are transformed into hundreds of peaceful and terrifying deities. The dance originated in Dramitse Monastery in eastern Bhutan and is considered a Bhutanese heritage.

Day 5:

The great thangkha (thongdrel) is shown early in the morning followed by the Shugdrel ceremony.

Dance of the Heroes (Pacham)

A dance to lead believers in the human world into the presence of Guru Rinpoche.

Dance of the Ging and Tsholing

Guru Rinpoche initiated this dance during the consecration of the ancient Samye Monastery in Tibet. The dance is a purification ceremony. People whistle to chase away bad spirits. The ging, dressed in orange skirts and a terrifying mask, use their drumsticks to hit everyone on the head to drive out impurity. The tsolingrepresent protectors of the religion and are dressed in long colourful dresses and terrifying masks.

Dance of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Tshen Gye)

This dance is one of the highlights for Buddhist practitioners. The Guru appears in eight different forms in a dance that is also a play.

Dance of the Sixteen Fairies

After all eight manifestations appear, 16 fairies sing and perform two dances in front of the Guru. The fairies are Goddesses of Offerings who perform a dance to bring happiness. They are dressed in brocade dresses with carved bone ornaments. After these final songs, the manifestations go out in a long procession.

Religious Song (Chhoeshay)

This commemorates the opening of the gateway to the pilgrimage site of Tsari in eastern Tibet by the founder of the Drukpa School of Buddhism, Tsangpa Jarey.

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The national animal’s festival

Source: Kuensel

The national animal’s festival

JDNP recorded 164 Takins last year

Dressed as Lam Drukpa Kuenley, 18-year-old Jigme Thinley acted out the saint’s power by turning a goat’s head and a cow’s carcass into a Takin during the third annual Takin festival in Damji, Gasa on February 21.

Lam Drukpa Kuenley (1455-1529) is believed to have created the national animal by his magical powers, when a group of devotees requested him to perform a miracle.

This belief was replayed by a group of Bjishong middle secondary school students at the Takin festival, which was organised together by the Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) and the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB).

The play on how Takin originated in Bhutan attempted to create awareness of the animal in remote Gasa, the national animal’s biggest habitat. Besides, the locals also have a close link with the animal and the annual festival would further help in promoting the animal, JDNP’s manager Lhendrup Tharchen said.

The festival also aims to develop eco-tourism by encouraging more tourists in places like Gasa where tourist arrivals are less at this time of the year.

From 146 in 2001, the number of Takins in the park has increased to 164 last year. The park’s ranger, Phuntshok who has an experience of 13 years in dealing with the animal said it was difficult to get the exact number of Takins, which is mobile by nature.

Strong conservation policy and locals’ respect to the animal are cited as reasons for the increasing number of the mammal, park officials said.

People from as far as Laya and Lunana came to witness the festival that was held at Bijshong school ground, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

TCB’s assistant tourism officer, Karma Jigme said once the locals are ready to take over the festival, TCB would only provide technical support. The council this time supported with Nu 300,000. “Our target is to develop the capacity of the locals,” he said.

Tenzin Namgyel, Gasa

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TCBS considering taking over licensing of travel agencies

Source: Kuensel.

           Feb 23rd 2013

TCBS considering taking over licensing of travel agencies

The Tourism Council of Bhutan Secretariat (TCBS), which issues licenses for tourist hotels and guides, is considering taking over licensing of local travel agencies from the regional trade and industry office (RTIO).

This is mainly to closely monitor tour operators. “The tourism industry being service oriented, is a fragile industry,” TCBS’s officiating joint director Thuji N Dorji said. “People who don’t land up anywhere land up as tour operators.”

As of January 31, more than 350 tour operators had not renewed their licenses records with RTIO show. The RTIO had issued licenses to 1,068 tour operators but only 961 of the total are registered with the secretariat.

To avail a travel agency license, a person first submits an application to the secretariat with the desired company name. The secretariat issues a recommendation letter or clearance if the name is available. The letter is then taken to the RTIO to process the license.

Once the tour operator gets his license, he has to open a bank account and register with TCBS to set up an account for the online visa application.

RTIO officials said they imposed a penalty of Nu 20 a day and the license gets cancelled if it’s still not renewed after six months. After cancellation, the tour operators have to reapply.

As of January 31, TCBS had issued 1063 recommendation letters for setting up of travel agencies.

Tourism officials said while RTIO renewed the licenses, it was the department of revenue and customs who were supposed to monitor those operating without renewing their licenses.

“Everybody’s assuming that the other is doing the monitoring,” Thuji N Dorji said. “But anyone who operates without renewing their license is illegal.”

While no discussions on the travel agency licensing has taken place regional trade officials said it was good if TCBS does it. TCBS officials said it would help them closely monitor tour operators if the secretariat issues licenses.

Meanwhile, the secretariat is closely monitoring tour operators who have been operating without a proper office set up.

Last year, the secretariat inspected 441offices of which 105 were found attached with residence but with proper demarcation while five were found without proper demarcation.

Tourism officials said offices without proper demarcation were set up in altars and living rooms. “Such tour operators were asked to set up proper offices and the inspection is being continued,” the secretariat’s media spokesperson said.

Another 11 tour operators had sought time extension for setting up of proper offices. “TCBS proposed visa suspension and cancellation of licenses in case of non-compliance to repeated reminders for travel agents who do not cooperate,” the media spokesperson said.

Kinga Dema

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Bhutan Festival Dates 2013

SL#	FESTIVAL	PLACE	DATES
1	PUNAKHA DRUBCHHEN	Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA	15th – 19th February
2	PUNAKHA TSHECHU	Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA	20th – 22nd February
3	CHHORTEN KORA	Chorten Kora, TRASHI YANGTSE	25th February & 11th March
4	GOMPHUKORA	Gom Kora Lhakhang, TRASHIGANG	20th – 22nd March
5	PARO TSHECHU	Rinpung Dzong, PARO	23rd – 27th March
6	CHHUKHA TSHECHU	Chhukha Dzong, CHHUKHA	25th – 27th March
7	URA YAKCHOE	Ura Lhakhang, BUMTHANG	21st – 25th April
8	NIMALUNG TSHECHU	Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, BUMTHANG	16th – 18th June
9	KURJEY TSHECHU	Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	18th June
10	THIMPHU DRUBCHEN	Tashichho Dzong, THIMPHU	9th – 13th September
11	WANGDUE TSHECHU	Wangdi Dzong, WANGDUEPHODRANG	12th – 14th September
12	TAMSHING PHALA CHHOEPA	Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	13th – 15th September
13	THIMPHU TSHECHU	Tashichho Dzong, THIMPHU	14th – 16th September
14	THANGBI MANI	Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, BUMTHANG	18th – 20th September
15	JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUP	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	18th – 22nd October
16	PRAKHAR DUCHHOED	Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG	19th – 21st October
17	CRANE FESTIVAL	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, WANGDUEPHODRANG	11th November
18	MONGAR TSHECHU	Mongar Dzong, MONGAR	9th – 12th November
19	PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU	Pemagatshel Dzong, PEMAGATSHEL	9th – 12th November
20	TRASHIGANG TSHECHU	Trashigang Dzong, TRSASHIGANG	10th – 13th November
21	NALAKHAR TSHECHU	Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG	17th – 19th November
22	TRONGSA TSHECHU	Trongsa Dzong, TRONGSA	9th – 11th January 2014
23	LHUENTSE TSHECHU	Lhuentse Dzong, LHUENTSE	9th – 11th January 2014

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