Events calendar Vallée De Bumthang

In one of Bhutan's most famous monasteries, Thangbi Lhakang, founded in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche, Chokki Drakpa, this three-day festival is reputed to bring peace and prosperity to families and ensure a better harvest for the entire community. The festival culminates in a fire blessing ceremony (Mewang), which is celebrated in the open air. Lay monks perform purification rituals while people jump over the flames to purify themselves. Masked dances are obviously part of the ceremony.

Situated in the Chokhor Valley, Kurjey Lhakhang Monastery in Bumtang is the former favourite resting place of the first three Bhutanese kings. Every year, a tschechu takes place there in June for one day to pay homage to Guru Rinpoche who is said to have meditated here for three months to drive out the local demon. The inhabitants of the surrounding villages, Jakar and Kurjey, flock to attend the chams performed by the monks of Kurjey Lhakhang. The festival ends with the display of a giant painting of Buddha.