Tsechu in Bhutanese means “tenth day,” and is a religious festival held on the tenth day of a month on the lunar calendar which corresponds to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava).
Tsechus bring communities together to watch the sacred mask dances, meet with friends and family, and also to receive blessings and wash away their sins. Each mask dance is unique and some have been performed the same way for over a thousand years. Generally monks perform the dance, but in small villages, local men also join in.
Bhutan Festival Dates for 2023
| FESTIVAL NAME | START DATE | END DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Punakha Drubchen | 24/02/2023 | 28/02/2023 |
| Trashi Yangtse Tshechu | 27/02/2023 | 01/03/2023 |
| Punakha Tshechu | 01/03/2023 | 03/03/2023 |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | 07/03/2023 | 07/03/2023 |
| Gomphu Kora | 29/03/2023 | 31/03/2023 |
| Talo Tshechu | 29/03/2023 | 31/03/2023 |
| Gasa Tshechu | 29/03/2023 | 31/03/2023 |
| Paro Tshechu | 02/04/2023 | 06/04/2023 |
| Chorten Kora | 05/04/2023 | 20/04/2023 |
| Rhododendron Festival | 14/04/2023 | 16/04/2023 |
| Ura Yakchoe | 02/05/2023 | 06/05/2023 |
| Kurjey Tshechu | 28/06/2023 | 28/06/2023 |
| Haa Summer Festival | 09/07/2023 | 15/07/2023 |
| Masutake Festival | 15/08/2023 | 16/08/2023 |
| Shingkhar Rabney | 20/09/2023 | 24/09/2023 |
| Thimphu Dromchoe | 20/09/2023 | 20/09/2023 |
| Wangdue Tshechu | 22/09/2023 | 24/09/2023 |
| Thimphu Tshechu | 24/09/2023 | 26/09/2023 |
| Tangbi Mewang | 29/09/2023 | 30/09/2023 |
| Jomolhari Mountain Festival | 14/10/2023 | 15/10/2023 |
| Jakar Tshechu | 21/10/2023 | 25/10/2023 |
| Ugyencholing Kangsel | 22/10/2023 | 24/10/2023 |
| Royal Highland Festival | 23/10/2023 | 24/10/2023 |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | 28/10/2023 | 31/10/2023 |
| Prakhar Tshechu | 29/10/2023 | 31/10/2023 |
| Black Necked Crane Festival | 11/11/2023 | 11/11/2023 |
| Birth Anniversary of 4th King | 11/11/2023 | 11/11/2023 |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | 13/12/2023 | 13/12/2023 |