Overview:

Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival is an annual Buddhist festival celebrated in Bhutan. Held on December 13th each year, the festival marks the birth of the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Named after Dochula Pass, located at an altitude of 3,088 metres in the Thimphu district, the festival celebrates the religious and cultural heritage of Bhutan. The festival procession is lead by a troop of masked dancers, adorned in traditional Bhutanese attire. Artists from all over Bhutan, including musicians, folk dancers, and traditional dress masters, join in this procession. Together, the procession reaches Dochula Pass, to greet the sacred Druk Wangyel Snow-Mountain and the 108-chorten stupa. Here, prayers, libation offerings, and flags are made to the snow-mountain in honor of the Fourth King. The festival is enjoyed by Buddhist pilgrims and foreign visitors alike. Besides colorful dancing and traditional singing, visitors can enjoy hot-air balloon rides and hands-on workshops, such as archery and traditional paper-making. Local stalls serving hot food, handmade souvenirs, and local handicrafts add to the charm of the festival. The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival serves as an important reminder of Bhutan’s vibrant culture and its strong royal legacy. It is a yearly celebration of devotion, faith, and cultural pride. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bhutan
Prominent Features:

1. Celebration of Bhutan’s Victory in 2003: The festival was established to celebrate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants from the group, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), in 2003. 2. Celebrating the Monarchy: The festival also celebrates the coronation of the fifth king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2008. 3. Annual Event: The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival is an annual event that falls on the 30th of December and features vibrant traditional Bhutanese song, dance, and music. 4. Magnificent Himalayan Scenery: The festival is held in the captivatingly beautiful Dochula pass, which is located in the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan. 5. Colorful Dzongkhag Tshechu Dance Festival: The festival also features a colorful dzongkhag tshechu dance festival, with elaborate costumes and cultural dances. 6. Attendance of the Monarchs: The festival is attended by members of the Royal Family, as well as by members of the Bhutanese government. 7. Exhibition of Bhutanese Crafts and Products: The festival also provides a platform for displaying different types of Bhutanese crafts and products. 8. Varied Cultural Performances: Throughout the day, a variety of cultural performances are given, ranging from folk songs to theater. 9. Enjoyment of Food: In addition, visitors will get the opportunity to sample a variety of local delicacies. 10. Activity Venues: A number of ramblers, trails, and benches are available for visitors, as well as a multimedia centre, souvenir an traditional Bhutanese handicrafts shop. This national monument of Bhutan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival is a unique festival in Bhutan that takes place every winter in the month of December. The festival celebrates the importance of the Drukpa lineage, the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and its link to Bhutanese culture and history. The festival is an expression of gratitude and respect to the founder of the Drukpa lineage in Bhutan, Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the “Divine Madman”) who played a key role in introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. The festival begins with a procession of monks and devotees through the mountain pass of Dochula. This grand procession includes musicians and dancers who, together, create a vivid and festive atmosphere. The procession is followed by a variety of activities throughout the day which include visits to local temples, prayers and offerings, traditional performances, and colorful cultural activities. The main highlight of the Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival is a large procession of prayer wheels and colorful prayer flags. These prayer flags honor the patron of Bhutan, Guru Padmasambhava, and they are said to carry the wishes of peace, prosperity, and good luck. On the final day of the festival, a representation of Drukpa Kuenley is displayed in the middle of the Dochula mountain pass and it is honored by devotees with prayers, offerings, and traditional ceremonies. The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival has quickly become a beloved event in Bhutan and is now considered one of the most important religious festivals of the country. The festival is a time for locals to celebrate their culture and also for visitors to experience the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of Bhutan. You must visit one of these historical places in Bhutan on your Bhutan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival is an annual festival held in Bhutan, to celebrate the completion of the Dochula Pass. It was first held in 2008. 2. The festival is celebrated on the 108th Lunar day of Bhutan's calendar, usually around late December or early January, and is attended by thousands of people. 3. The festival is marked with traditional Bhutanese music performances, dances, food, and cultural displays. 4. The focal point of the festival is a large newly-erected Buddhist temple, the Druk Wangyel Chorten, with its 1008 prayer flags. This temple marks the great victory of Bhutan’s soldiers against India’s rebels in 2003. 5. Another highlight is the eight-hour hot air balloon fiesta, the first of its kind in Bhutan. This includes hot air balloons of all sizes, from small children’s balloons to massive sky lanterns. 6. The festival is said to be blessed by the presence of the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He presented local dignitaries with traditional scarf-like scarves, called “Kuenzin”. 7. On the108th day of the Druk Wangyel festival, the course is lit up by a Fireworks display. People from all over Bhutan gather to witness this colorful display. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bhutan with your friends and family.