A tshechu (dz|ΰ½ΰ½Ίΰ½¦ΰΌΰ½ΰ½ ུΰΌ, literally "tenth day") is any of the annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place. Tshechus are religious festivals of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. Large markets also congregate at the fair locations, leading to brisk commerce.[1] The Thimphu tshechu and the Paro tshechu are among the biggest of the tshechus in terms of participation and audience. They are related to traditions in other branches of Himalayan Buddhism, many of which have been banned in Tibet.[2]
The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.[1] Typically, monks perform unmasked in certain group dances, including the Black Hat dance, while laymen perform masked, in largely different plays. The monks are generally very precise in their movement, while some roles played by laymen involve considerable athleticism (such as the leaping dog shown below, who repeats this move over and over again). Groups of women perform songs, with limited dance movements, in between the plays.
Most tshechus also feature the unfurling of a thongdrel - a large appliquΓ© thangka typically depicting a seated Padmasambhava surrounded by holy beings, the mere viewing of which is said to cleanse the viewer of sin. The thongdrel is raised before dawn and rolled down by morning.
Because tshechus depend on the availability of masked dancers, registered dancers are subject to fine if they refuse to perform during festivals.[3]
Padmasambhava, the great scholar, visited Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century and 9th century. He used to convert opponents of Buddhism by performing rites, reciting mantras and finally performing a dance of subjugation to conquer local spirits and gods. He visited Bhutan to aid the dying king Sindhu Raja. Padmasambhava performed a series of such dances in the Bumthang Valley to restore the health of the king. The grateful king helped spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Padmasambhava organized the first tshechu in Bumthang, where the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava were presented through eight forms of dances. These became the Cham dances depicting the glory of Padmasambhava.
Although the tradition began as a monastic practice, the first full public celebration took place in 1690 CE at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.[4]
The dance schedule for each day of the four-day festival is set out and generally consists of the following dances.
The last day of the four-day festival also marks the unfurling of the Thongdrel, a very large scroll painting or thangka, which is unfurled with intense religious fervour, early in the morning. This painting measuring 30m (100feet)Γ45m (148feet) has the images of Padmasambhava at the centre flanked by his two consorts and also his eight incarnations. Devotees who gather to witness this occasion offer obeisance in front of the Thongdrel seeking blessings. Folk dances are performed on the occasion. Before sunrise, the painting is rolled up and kept in the Dzong before it is displayed again one year later.[5]
Below is a list of major tshechus in Bhutan, along with their 2011 dates. Dates in other years will vary.
| Date | Tsechu | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| data-sort-value="01" | January 2β04 | Trongsa Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="01" | January 2β04 | Lhuntse Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="01" | January 2β04 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="01" | January 9 | Shingkhar Metochodpa | ||
| data-sort-value="01" | January 9β13 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | ||
| data-sort-value="02" | February 10β15 | Punakha Dromache & Tshechu | Punakha | |
| data-sort-value="02" | February 17β21 | Tangsibi Mani | ||
| data-sort-value="02" | February 18 | Chorten Kora | ||
| data-sort-value="02" | February 18 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | ||
| data-sort-value="02" | February 19β21 | Buli Mani Chumey | ||
| data-sort-value="02" | FebruaryβMarch (1st month, 7th day) | Trashiyangtse Tsechu | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | March 4 | Chorten Kora (2nd) | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | March 13β15 | Gomkora | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | March 13β15 | Talo Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | March 13β16 | Zhemgang Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | March 15β19 | Paro Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | March 17β19 | Chhukha Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="03" | October 16β25 | Phuentsholing Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="04" | April 1β03 | Gaden Chodpa | Ura, Bumthang | |
| data-sort-value="05" | May 12β14 | Domkhar Festival | ||
| data-sort-value="05" | May 14β18 | Ura Yakchoe | ||
| data-sort-value="06" | June 19β21 | PadselβLing Kuchod | ||
| data-sort-value="06" | June | Laya Bumkhosa Festival (Bongkor) | ||
| data-sort-value="07" | July 8β10 | Nimalung Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="07" | July 9β10 does not move | Alpine | ||
| data-sort-value="07" | July 10 | Kurjey Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="07" | July 29 | Gangte Kurim | Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang | |
| data-sort-value="10" | October 1β05 | Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu | |
| data-sort-value="10" | October 4β06 | Wangdue Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="10" | October 4β06 | Gangte Drubchen & Tshechu | Gangte, Wangdue Phodrang | |
| data-sort-value="10" | October 6β08 | Tamshingphala Choepa | ||
| data-sort-value="10" | October 6β08 | Gasa Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="10" | October 6β08 | Thimphu Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="10" | October 10β12 | Thangbi Mani | ||
| data-sort-value="11" | November 1β05 | Shingkhar Rabney | ||
| data-sort-value="11" | November 3β06 | Jakar Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="11" | November 10β14 | Jambay Lakhang Drup | ||
| data-sort-value="11" | November 11β13 | Prakhar Duchoed | ||
| data-sort-value="11" | November 12 does not move | Black Necked Crane Festival | ||
| data-sort-value="11" | November 22β25 | Sumdrang Kangsol | ||
| data-sort-value="12" | December 2β05 | Trashigang Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="12" | December 2β05 | Mongar Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="12" | December 3β04 | Tang Namkha Rabney Tang | ||
| data-sort-value="12" | December 10 | Singye Cham, Jambay Lhakhang | ||
| data-sort-value="12" | December 10β12 | Nalakhar Tshechu | ||
| data-sort-value="12" | December 10β13 | Chojam Rabney Tang |
The Bhutanese film Travellers and Magicians is set among a group of travellers, most of whom are going to the Thimphu tshechu.
