FESTIVAL DATES OF BHUTAN
The Tshechu is a religious event celebrated on tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins. Every mask dance performed during a Tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of Guru Padmasambhava. In monasteries, the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages, they are performed jointly by monks and village men.
Festival Dates for 2019
| Festival Name | Place | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punakha Dromchen | Punakha | 11-February-2019 | 13-February-2019 |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | 14-Febuary-2019 | 17-Febuary-2019 |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 19-February-2019 | 19-February-2019 |
| GomphuKora | Gom kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | 14-March-2019 | 16-March-2019 |
| Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 14-March-2019 | 16-March-2019 |
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 14-March-2019 | 16-March-2019 |
| Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Tshechu, Paro | 17-March-2019 | 21-March-2019 |
| Chhorten Kora | Chhorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 21-March-2019 | 5-April-2019 |
| Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Garden, Thimphu | 19-April-2019 | 21-April-2019 |
| Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 16-April-2019 | 20-April-2019 |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 11-July-2019 | 11-july-2019 |
| Haa Summer Festival | Haa | 13-July-2019 | 14-july-2019 |
| Mushroom Festival | Genekha, Thimphu | 15-August-2019 | 16-August-2019 |
| Masutaki Mushroom Festival | Ura, Bumthang | 23-August-2019 | 24-August-2019 |
| Tour of the dragon(Bicycle Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 7-September-2019 | 7-September-2019 |
| Thimphu Drupchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 3-October-2019 | 3-October-2019 |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang | 5-October-2019 | 7-October-2019 |
| Thimphu Festival | Thimphu | 19-September-2019 | 21-September-2019 |
| Tamshing phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | 7-October-2019 | 9-October-2019 |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 7-October-2019 | 9-October-2019 |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 10-October-2019 | 13-October-2019 |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Thimphu | 14-October-2019 | 15-October-2019 |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha | 6-November-2019 | 8-November-2019 |
| Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | 5-November-2019 | 9-November-2019 |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | 13-November-2019 | 16-November-2019 |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | 18-November-2019 | 18-November-2019 |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11-November-2019 | 11-November-2019 |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | 4-December-2019 | 6-December-2019 |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | 5-December-2019 | 7-December-2019 |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel | 11-December-2019 | 13-December-2019 |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula, Thimphu | 13-December-2019 | 13-December-2019 |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | 4-January-2020 | 7-January-2020 |
| Lhuntse Tshechu | Lhuntse | 4-January-2020 | 7-January-2020 |
