Public holidays in Bhutan
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals or tshechus. While national holidays are observed throughout Bhutan, tsechus are only observed in their areas.[1] Bhutan uses its own calendar,[2] a variant of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar. Because it is a lunisolar calendar, dates of some national holidays and most tshechus change from year to year. For example, the new year, Losar, generally falls between February and March.
National holidays
Winter solstice
Nyinlong or Nyilong (
Traditional Day of Offering
The Traditional Day of Offering[1] (Dzongkha: buelwa phuewi nyim) is a holiday usually falling in January or February, on the 1st day of the 12th month of the calendar.[7] The main purpose behind this holiday is to give thanks to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan.[8] It also focuses on charity, particularly feeding others, and recreation.[6] The day is celebrated with feasting and traditional sports, including archery, digor, and khuru (darts).[7] This holiday may have originally begun as a Bhutanese new year celebration.[9]
Losar
Losar (Dzongkha ལོ་གསར་, Wylie: lo gsar), the New Year, is celebrated between February and March, officially on the 1st month, 1st day of the calendar.[1] Festivities last 15 days, ahead of which people spend much time preparing food and alcohol and cleaning their homes of old and unused objects.[10][11] In Bhutan, different communities celebrate Losar at slightly different times and refer to the holiday by particular local names.[9] The common Losar greeting is "tashi delek."
Birthday of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
February 21–23 are holidays commemorating the birth anniversary of
Zhabdrung Kuchoe
Shabdrung Kurchoe[1] marks the passing of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1651 at Punakha Dzong. It generally falls in April or May (4th month, 10th day of the calendar). The holiday is a national day of mourning.[12]
Birthday of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
May 2 is the birth anniversary of
The day is also celebrated as Teacher's day throughout the country. The day sees students coordinating various programs at schools and institution showing gratitude to their teachers. Students gift cards to Teachers, while some students substitute their teachers in class to give them a time-out. The day also constitute cultural programs showcasing various dance and song items focusing on teachers and their contributions. The day usually ends with a common meal for the entire school or institution.
Coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
June 2 is the coronation day of the
Parinirvana of Buddha
June 15 is
Birthday of Guru Rinpoche
July 10 marks the birth anniversary of
First Sermon of Buddha
August 3 marks the first sermon of Gautama Buddha at Sarnath.[1]
Blessed Rainy Day
Dashain
Coronation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
November 1 marks the coronation day of
Birthday of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
November 11 marks the birth anniversary of
Lhabab Duchen
National Day
The
Tsechus
Numerous
Below is a list of major tsechus in Bhutan, along with their 2011 dates. Dates in other years will vary.
Date | Tsechu | Location |
---|---|---|
January 2–04 | Trongsa Tsechu | Trongsa |
January 2–04 | Lhuntse Tsechu | Lhuntse |
January 2–04 | Pemagatshel Tsechu | Pemagatshel |
January 9 | Shingkhar Metochodpa | Bumthang |
January 9–13 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Trongsa |
February 10–15 | Punakha Dromache & Tshechu | Punakha |
February 17–21 | Tangsibi Mani | Bumthang |
February 18 | Chorten Kora | Trashiyangtse |
February 18 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Bumthang |
February 19–21 | Buli Mani Chumey | Bumthang |
February–March (1st month, 7th day) |
Trashiyangtse Tsechu | Trashiyangtse |
March 4 | Chorten Kora (2nd) | Trashiyangtse |
March 13–15 | Gomkora | Trashigang |
March 13–15 | Talo Tsechu | Talo, Punakha |
March 13–16 | Zhemgang Tsechu | Zhemgang |
March 15–19 | Paro Tshechu | Paro |
March 17–19 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chukha |
April 1–03 | Gaden Chodpa | Ura, Bumthang |
May 12–14 | Domkhar Festival | Chhume, Bumthang |
May 14–18 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura, Bumthang |
June 19–21 | Padsel–Ling Kuchod | Bumthang |
June | Laya Bumkhosa Festival (Bongkor) | Laya |
July 8–10 | Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang |
July 9–10 does not move |
Alpine | Ha, Haa
|
July 10 | Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang |
July 29 | Gangte Kurim | Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang
|
October 1–05 | Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu |
October 4–06 | Wangdue Tsechu | Wangdue Phodrang |
October 4–06 | Gangte Drubchen & Tsechu | Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang
|
October 6–08 | Tamshingphala Choepa | Bumthang |
October 6–08 | Gasa Tsechu | District Gasa |
October 6–08 | Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu |
October 10–12 | Thangbi Mani | Bumthang |
November 1–05 | Shingkhar Rabney | Ura, Bumthang |
November 3–06 | Jakar Tsechu | Jakar, Bumthang |
November 10–14 | Jambay Lakhang Drup | Bumthang |
November 11–13 | Prakhar Duchoed | Bumthang |
November 12 does not move |
Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang
|
November 22–25 | Sumdrang Kangsol | Ura, Bumthang |
December 2–05 | Trashigang Tsechu | Trashigang |
December 2–05 | Mongar Tsechu | Mongar |
December 3–04 | Tang Namkha Rabney Tang | Bumthang |
December 10 | Singye Cham, Jambay Lhakhang | Bumthang |
December 10–12 | Nalakhar Tsechu | Bumthang |
December 10–13 | Chojam Rabney Tang | Bumthang |
See also
References
- ^ Government of Bhutan. 2011-04-26. Archived from the originalon 2012-03-28. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ Henning, E. (2010-02-05). "Bhutanese Calendar". Kalacakra online. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
- ^ ISBN 0-7397-3719-8. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b Wangchuk, Rinzin (2007-12-27). "Observing Ngenpa Guzom". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b "Winter Solstice Holiday Resource". MarktheDay.com. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b c d e "Holidays of Bhutan Fall/Winter". Far Flung Places & Bhutan Tourism Corporation. 2011-07-03. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ a b "Traditional Day of Offering". Kuensel online. 2006-01-29. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ "Traditional Day of Offering". Bhutan Journals online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b Namgyel, Tenzin (2010-01-17). "The Real Losar?". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ Tshering, Dechen (2011-01-06). "The Cooking Up". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ Dahal, Rabi C (2010-02-12). "Our Cousins in Losar Celebrations". Bhutan Observer online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ a b c "Holidays of Bhutan Spring/Summer". Far Flung Places & Bhutan Tourism Corporation. 2011-07-03. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ Palden, Karma (2010-10-24). "Thrubab Brings Fields Alive". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ Namgyal, Gembo (2010-09-25). "Bathing in Celestial Precipitation". Bhutan Observer online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ Bhandari, Achyut (2010-10-23). "The Significance of Dashain Festival". Bhutan Observer online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ "Bhutan Festivals". RAOnline. 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ Namgyal, Gyembo (2010-01-19). "It is Lhasoel Time in the East". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2011-01-20. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- Government of Bhutan. 2008-07-18. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
- ^ "National Day Celebrations". Bhutan Broadcasting Service. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ Tenzin, Ugyen (2009-12-19). "December 17, the Essence". Bhutan Observer online. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ "National Day of Bhutan". Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation online. 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ISBN 0-7627-4090-6. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
- ^ "Festival Dates". Vivaan Adventure Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 2019-12-08.