Paro Tshechu is one of Bhutan’s most popular festivals. A ‘tshechu’ (festival) is a masked dance festival, and is a tremendously important religious celebration for the people of Bhutan. Each district has a tshechu, and they are held in honour of Guru Rimpoche, the man who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Typically celebrated for several days, the festival features an array of dances performed by trained monks and laymen in beautiful costumes and masks. This festival is one of the best ways to experience the ancient living culture of Bhutan.
It is an incredible opportunity to witness local communities gathered in their finest Gho’s and Kira’s in celebration of their culture and faith. The local people are kept entertained between dances by Atsaras, clowns whose expressive masks and postures are an indispensable element in the festivities. They confront the monks, toss out salacious jokes, and distract the crowd with their antics whenever the religious dances begin to grow tedious, keeping the mood joyous.
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