Thimphu Tshechu (8th October– 10th October 2019)
Thimphu Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country which is held in the capital city for three days. Tsechu is a religious festival and by attending it, it is believed one gains merits and because of that reason Tshechu is witnessed by thousands of people including both local and tourists. It is also a yearly social gathering where the people gather to rejoice, dressed in finery. In order that Bhutan can rejoice in continued happiness, many learned lamas established the tradition of these dances. The actual Tshechu is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods. The mask dances known as chams or folk dances like the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche), Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) and many more are performed by both monks and common men to bless the onlookers, to protect them from misfortune and to exorcise all evil. Thimphu Tsechu holds spiritual significance to the people who crowd the streets of Thimphu during this time of the year.