Paro Tshechu
March or April (10th to 15th day of the 2nd Bhutanese lunar month)
Tshechu means the tenth day, the day of the lunar month associated with Guru Rinpoche. Paro's festival is held in the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong and then in the large open ground below it. Monks and laymen in silk costumes and carved masks perform cham dances that tell stories of Guru Rinpoche, the defeat of evil and the judgement of the dead. Clowns called atsaras move among the crowd with jokes.
Families come in their best gho and kira, carrying picnics, and the festival is as much a social event as a religious one. Before sunrise on the final day the thongdrel, a vast thangka several storeys high, is unrolled on the dzong wall for a few hours. Seeing it is believed to bring merit, and crowds gather in the dark to wait.
How to do it well
- Book Paro hotels three to four months ahead; festival week fills fast.
- Reach the dzong before 4 am on the last day to see the thongdrel unveiled.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers or a long skirt; formal dress is appreciated.
- Do not use flash or walk into the dance ground for photographs.
- Exact dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year. Check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is Paro Tshechu?
From the 10th to the 15th day of the second month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar, which usually falls in late March or April. Dates change every year. The Department of Tourism publishes the festival calendar in advance. Check current status before you travel and book hotels early.
What is the thongdrel at Paro Tshechu?
A huge religious appliqué image, several storeys high, of Guru Rinpoche and his companions. It is unrolled on the wall above the festival ground before dawn on the last day and taken down before the sun strikes it. Seeing it is believed to cleanse sins and bring merit.
Can tourists attend Paro Tshechu?
Yes. Tourists are welcome with a licensed guide, though in Paro you do not strictly need one. There is no separate ticket in most years, but rules can change. Dress modestly, stay behind the dance area, do not use flash and keep quiet during the religious dances.
Is Paro Tshechu very crowded?
Yes, especially on the final day for the thongdrel. Thousands of Bhutanese and visitors gather in the festival ground. Arrive early for a good spot, keep your belongings close and be patient leaving. Hotels and cars in Paro and Thimphu are booked out, so plan months ahead.