Surrounded by lush greenery and rocky-mountains, Paro is situated at 2,200m above sea level in Bhutan. It is one of the most visited and mesmerizing valleys of Bhutan. Visitors from all over the world visit here to witness the beauty and culture of Paro and festivals are one of the key highlights of this valley. Festivals not only in Paro but the whole country of Bhutan have huge significance. These festivals are grand events for the entire community of Bhutan who value their tradition the most.
These festivals are the key to bringing them together to witness religious performances and receive blessings and it is the best event to socialize. In this festival, you will witness some of the best authentic songs and colourful dances with Bhutanese clothing styles. During this time it is common to know about the spiritual aspects and history of Bhutan. The folklore and mythological stories will fill you with awe and excitement.
According to the people in Bhutan, it is believed that one can attain good fortune by attending the festivals. Don’t miss the festivals you are excited to observe. You can come to Paro and observe different festivals throughout the year. In such a case, you are recommended to book a hotel in Paro beforehand so that you will be able to enjoy the best of these without tiring your body and sacrificing your good night's sleep. Here are 7 festivals to attend in Paro, Bhutan.
1.Paro Tshechu
Paro Tshechu is one of the most popular religious festivals held in the Paro dzongkhag district. 5 days of continuous celebration takes place during springtime on the 2nd Bhutanese lunar month. At the festival, you can witness the beautiful culture, tradition, or age-old customs. Monks and laymen dress up in colorful cloth and masks to perform mask dances and attract thousands of onlookers. This dance depicts the 8th manifestation of Guru Rinpoche. On the last day, a gigantic painting will be shown in full light to cleanse the sins of the onlookers.
The best time to witness and enjoy the festival is the 10th day of the second Bhutanese lunar month. That is the third week of March and the first week of April. Is it advisable to book a 3-star hotel in Paro to get the luxurious and serene experience of Paro? Book your hotel early to avoid hassle during peak times and enjoy affordable prices and discounts. Do your research for getting the best hotels in Paro before you check in to ensure a smooth trip.
2.Jambay Lhakhang Drup
It is one of the 108 temples that is believed to be built in a single day to defeat the demoness in the Himalayas. The festival is marked by mask dances. According to local beliefs, Tercham, also known as Naked Dance, is organized at midnight to ward off evil spirits, while mewang is the fire dance that blesses infertile women with children. The right time to observe this festival would be approximately during the last week of October and early November.
3.Punakha Tshechu and Drubchen Festival
Punakha Tshechu and Drubchen Festival is held during spring, to celebrate Bhutan's victory over invading Tibetan forces. You will be able to observe theatrical staging depicting scenes from the 17th-century battle with the Tibetan army. Thefetival is hosted by Punakha Dzong monastery. In the end, the thangka is unfurled to bless the onlooker by cleansing their sins. You can observe the mask dances of this festival in March.
4.Thimphu Tshechu
Thimpu Tshechu is the national festival of Bhutan. It is the most popular celebration in the country. It is believed that praying for days and nights will invoke the gods and spirits. The festival ground for the festival is Tendrel Thang. The people there performed Shawa Shachi, Dance of the Stags, Dance of the Terrifying Deities, and Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds to bless the onlookers and teach Buddhist dharma.
Depending on the lunar cycle, the festival is celebrated between the last week of September and the first week of October. The trip during this time will let you enjoy the gathering of thousands of people celebrating in the capital city of Thimphu.
5.Black-Necked Crane Festival
As the name depicts, it is a festival celebrated for the endangered species of black-necked crane. This festival's goal is wildlife conservation. It is celebrated to motivate the onlookers to protect the endangered species from extinction. Some theatrical performances depict the conservative theme of wildlife. The festival marks the arrival of black-necked cranes in winter. Songs and masked and crane dances can be observed revolving around black-necked cranes. The festival takes place during the first week of November which is the right time for emigration of the great black-necked cranes.
6.Haa Summer Festival
People from all over the country gather to celebrate the beauty of summer. Here you will get to different natural alpine flowers, and people involved in masked dance and performances. During the festival, Bhutanese people display their archery skills which is also their traditional sport.
The festival is held in early July so the best time to visit there would be around the first and second week of July.
7.Mountain Echoes Festival
The festival is known for the literacy legacy of Bhutan. The 4-day celebration gathers authors, poets, musicians, publishers, performers, and filmmakers to gather together to celebrate this unique literary festival of Bhutan. This preserves the myth and folklore of the Bhutan ancient time. Theatrical performance to the presentation of films is a good observing event done by the young Bhutanese.The festival is held during August and September.
Conclusion
Paro, the beautiful valley of Bhutan has its varied forms and types of festivals. The festivals can be observed through the years. Bhutan is known for its cultural heritage and traditions so you won't have to worry about missing a Bhutanese festival throughout the year. In Paro, you will be able to observe festivals to welcome the beauty of summer or a festival that gives a message of wildlife conservation. You will get to see many talents of scholars, archers, performers, and artists. Festivals of Religious and spiritual significance are huge in number. The masked dance and songs of the festival along with the giant painting unfurled in front of thousands of people are believed to cleanse the sins of the onlookers.
To enjoy all of these colourful festivals, it is important to find yourself a comfortable base to return for a rest. Pick from some of the best hotels in Paro to enjoy the Bhutanese festival along with the premium facilities of your booked hotel.
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