Tshechu - Lightfoot travel Magazine - Bhutan

A photo essay on the colourful masked dance festivals of Bhutan.

Tsechu in the local language (Dzongkha) literally means the tenth day of the month and is celebrated widely throughout Bhutan in various Dzongs (fortresses) and monasteries. The festival commemorate the deeds of the Great saint Guru Rinpoche in the form of well choreographed masked dances, traditional songs and dances by men and women dressed in colorful costumes.

Tshechus are a rich form of oral history where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. They are grand events where entire communities come together to witness the religious dances, receive blessings and socialise.

Bhutanese from all walks of life take this occasion as an opportunity to cleanse themselves of any misfortunes and understand their religion in depth. They believe, through festival attendance one can accumulate spiritual merits and move forward to enlightenment, the ultimate goal of Buddhists.