3 Most Popular Tshechu of TrashiYangtse
Tshechu is the most important religious festival in Bhutan. It is held annually in each district of our country on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends from district to district. Tshechu is the religious festivals, spiritual celebrations that hold a special place in the cultural and religious life of Bhutan. Tshechu are celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Rinpoche( Padmasambhava), the Indian tantric Buddhist master who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tshechu typically lasts four or five days. During the festival, monks and laypeople perform a variety of masked dances and other traditional culture programs.
1. Chorten Kora
The Chorten Kora festival is one of the most popular religious festivals held in Trashiyangtse. Chorten Kora is located on the banks of the Kulong Chu River. It was built in 1740 by Lams Ngawang Lodro to subdue a demon that was said to be living in the Yangtse area. In Chorten Kora festivals can be celebrated into two different forms, they are Dakapa Kora and Drukpa Kora. The Dakpa Kora is celebrated on the 15th of the first lunar month and it is mainly celebrated by the Dakpa community of Tawang( Arunachal Pradesh) India. The Drukpa Kora is celebrated by Bhutanese people at the end of the first lunar month.
The main event of the festivals is the circumambulation of the Chorten Kora. It is a sacred ritual that is believed to bring good luck and blessings. In addition during these festivals, people of Trashiyangtse perform masked dances, traditional cultural dances and other programs.
2. Trashiyangtse Tshechu
Trashiyangtse Tshechu is an annual religious festival celebrated at Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag. It is held on the 8th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar, which usually falls in February or March. It is mainly celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Rinpoche. Tshechu lasts for three days. During Tshechu, a variety of masked dances, traditional music dance and religious ceremonies are performed. Trashiyangtse Tshechu is a vibrant and colorful celebration of Bhutanese culture and religion. Gather more than five hundred people to celebrate Tshechu.
3. Gomphu Kora
It was built in the 7th century by Guru Rinpoche. The Gomphu Kora temple is said to be the site where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three years, three months and three days. Today we can clearly see that the meditated place left a Guru Rinpoche’s body impression on the rock. (Gomphu meaning Mediation Place and Kora meaning Circumambulation). Tshechu is held on the 8th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar. During the festival more than five thousand people gather to witness Tshechu. More than one thousand Tawangpa and tourists came to celebrate Gomphu Kora Tshechu. It is one of the grand celebrating festivals or Tshechu held in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag.
Mongar district and Trashigang district people also joining for celebrations. Its last for three days. During the festivals, in the days masked dances and other cultural programs are performing and the most interesting parts of Gomphu Kora Tshechu is that during the nights, More than four to five thousand people joined for circumambulation( Kora). They spent till morning and at the time of circumambulation people enjoyed singing traditional songs, chanting mantras.
Tshechu festivals in Bhutan are a beautiful blend of religion, culture and community spirit. Tshechu festivals are the most grand celebration of our country. It is very different from other celebrations around the world. For both locals and tourists, Tshechu festivals are a remarkable and spiritually enriching experience, showcasing the enduring cultural legacy of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
If you are planning a trip to Trashiyangtse, be sure to coincide your visit with Yangtse Tshechu festivals such as Gomphu Kora Tshechu and all. It is one of the vibrant and colorful celebrations of Trashiyangtse’s culture and religion.