All tsechus are celebrated as religious festivals, commemorating the deeds of Buddha, to honour Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava, who brought Buddhism to the country. Tsechu are important events and celebrated throughout the kingdom. The tsechus are the most colourful of all Bhutanese gatherings and celebrated at every Dzong (fortress).   Local tsechus are celebrated in each district. In addition to tsechu, there are annual festivals, which are celebrated with great fanfare traditional and colourful dances are performed by trained dancers and monks. The people dress in their finest clothes and jewellery, eat, socialise and make merry. The popular tsechus are celebrated in Thimphu , Paro, Wangduephodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar and Trashigang. Two of the most famous tsechus are held at Paro in the spring and at Thimphu in the autumn. These tsechus are celebrated for three to five days with great fanfare.

Most monasteries stage their own tsechu at different times of the year to honor Guru Rimpoche who brought Buddhism to the kingdom in the 8th century, there's a festival on practically every other week.  A crowd of thousands, decksout in fine embroidered silk, watched as masked dancers whirle, leap and somersaulte Monks dress as demons and demi-gods, perform ritual dances, chants and lead the crowd in folk songs. Meanwhile mischievous atsara , or clowns, keep the crowds back with whips and wooden phalluses and teased and tickled unsuspecting spectators. On the last day, they unfurl the thongdrol , a sacred multicolored portrait of Guru Rimpoche that covers an entire wall outside the dzong. One glance at the tapestry is said to be enough to lead a true believer to enlightenment. 

TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2012