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A tshechu is a religious festival meaning “tenth day”. They are held annually in various temples, monasteries and dzongs throughout the country.

It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins.

Every mask dance performed during a Tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of Guru Padmasambhava.

These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.

They provide the chance for remote communities to come together, to dance, to be happy and to share in the teachings of Padmasambhava. Tshechus  encourage people to dress up, spend time at the local monastery or dzong (fortified Buddhist learning centre) and make the most of the assembled market stalls as well as packing a picnic in traditional bamboo baskets.

The Thimphu and Paro tsechus are by far the most popular festivals with tourist groups, and increasing numbers of visitors are discovering the theatrical drubchoe in beautiful Punakha. These three are the grandest festivals, on the biggest scale and are true spectacles, but the tourist crowds can be thick at times.

Some old Bhutan hands prefer the smaller festivals or tsechus held in lesser-known regional dzongs and lhakhangs. They may be lighter on spectacle but they provide a more intimate and traditional experience, and you might just be the only foreigners there: Has summer festival, Wangdue Prodrang Tshechu, Black Necked Crane festival, Jambay Lhakhang Drup

During festivals you can photograph from the dzong courtyard where the dances take place. Remember, however, that this is a religious observance and you should behave accordingly. Consider the following etiquette:

• Use a telephoto lens without a flash.
• Don’t let your desire for a close-up get in the way of the dancers or block the view of other spectators.
• Don’t intrude on the dance ground or on the space occupied by local people seated at the edge of the dance area, and if you do end up in the front row, remain seated.
• Don’t photograph a member of the royal family, even if you happen to be at a festival or gathering where they are present.

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