Overview:

The Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu is a traditionally celebrated festival of Bhutan held every year in the central district of Wangdue Phodrang. The event honors the patron saint of Bhutan – Pema Lingpa – as people from nearby villages gather together to celebrate with traditional masked dances, monastery chanting, colorful drumbeats and the spreading of joy and blessings. People from all over the world come to attend the event and witness this unique Bhutanese festival firsthand. The event usually lasts a few days and takes place in December. The event is also celebrated with a lot of music and cultural activities, as well as a colorful parade. There are also traditional exhibitions in which traditional Bhutanese art and crafts are presented by local village groups. The locals are also particularly found of the fireworks shows and food stands that accompany the festival. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bhutan
Prominent Features:

1. Sacred masked dances: The Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu is perhaps best known for its traditional masked dances, performed by lay dancers clad in ornate costumes of various colours. These provide a spectacular visual display that draws crowds of thousands of onlookers. 2. Processions and parades: The festivities also feature traditional music and masked processions throughout the town. Spectacular fireworks and illuminations light up the night sky and add to the festive atmosphere. 3. Local specialities: Visitors can also sample the region’s local specialities at food stalls set up along the main streets of the town. 4. Traditional costumes: Traditional dress is implored throughout the festival’s proceedings, and visitors can even rent traditional costumes from the local shops. 5. Cultural displays: During the tshechu, local arts and crafts such as weaving and wood-carving are prominently displayed throughout the region, and visitors can get a glimpse into the lifestyles of the local people. This national monument of Bhutan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Wangduephodrang Tshechu is an annual festival celebrated in the Wangduephodrang District of Bhutan for a period of three days. It is one of the most prominent festivals in the region, and is celebrated to honor the fourth Druk Desi Tenzin Drukdra. According to local folklore, the festival was started by Tenzin Drukdra to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese forces over the Sikkimese forces in the Second Battle of Duar War. The festivities are largely focused on religious activities, such as offering prayers to the guardian deities as well as traditional activities such as religious masked dances. Village warriors also perform traditional archery contests as part of the festival, which is followed by popular dances such as the ‘Hamgra’ and ‘Singye’. People offer their respect and thanksgiving to Tenzin Drukdra during the festival and enjoy local delicacies, such as 'Emma datsi', 'Phaksha paa' and 'Pofa'. You must visit one of these historical places in Bhutan on your Bhutan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu is an annual religious festival celebrated in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag (district) in Bhutan. 2. The Tshechu takes place over three days usually around December, imitating the 15th day of the ninth lunar month. 3. Masked dance performances held at the Tshechu showcase the Buddhist culture, tradition and spirit in Bhutan. 4. During the Tshechu, locals gather to watch masked dance performances and witness a procession of monks carrying thondrols. 5. The Thondrol are large and colorful tapestries hung up around the monastery as a sign of accomplishment. 6. The thondrol are believed to have religious and medicinal properties and the colors are believed to represent different energies and mantras. 7. People from nearby villages come dressed in their traditional best to participate in the Tshechu. 8. The tradition is also a great platform for tourists to experience Bhutanese culture and tradition. 9. The Wangdue Phodrang District is believed to have been founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 and is one of the oldest Dzongs, or fortresses, in Bhutan. 10. The Wangdue Phodrang Dzong was destroyed by a devastating fire in June 2012, but was rebuilt and was reopened in September 2018. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bhutan with your friends and family.