 |
| Wanduphodrang Tsechu Festival, Bhutan |
I went to Bhutan for the festivals. Sure, the country's natural Himalayan beauty and its lovely, peaceful, educated people are a major draw. But the festivals are especially gorgeous and colorful. The biggest festival of all is Thimphu Tsechu in October. My husband and I and two lifelong traveling friends scheduled our Bhutan trip around the Tsechu festival in Bhutan's capital city of Thimphu. We planned a trip through Bhutan specialist Myths and Mountains, that took us to different Dzongs (large palace/castles which house both government and religious offices). In the festival performances, monks dress in thick costumes depicting various gods, demons, heroes and animals. The dancers act out legends and stories, mostly by spinning around in circles.
 |
| Thimphu Dzong |
 |
| Thimphu Dzong Rehearsal |
The day before Tsechu's official start, the monks perform at a dress rehearsal. With smaller crowds, the rehearsals allow better access to see the dancers up close, and allow spectators to sit on the ground near the performers.
 |
| Tsechu Festival Performance at Bhutan's Dzong in the capital city, Thimphu |
 |
| Spectators entering the Thimphu Dzong to see the dances. Everyone dresses up in traditional clothes which are special woven textiles that they wrap in a prescribed way, creating pleats. Women's dresses are called Kiras and drape to the ground. Men's dresses are called Ghos and stop at their knees. |
 |
| For special occasions like festivals, men also wrap shawls around their Ghos |
 |
| This is a clown who wanders through the crowd at the festival, offering the opportunity to be blessed with his phallus. (Yes really). For a small donation, the monk dressed as a clown will touch you with the wooden phallus he carries around |
