Gasa Tshechu – An annual religious & cultural celebration of the Bhutanese highlander community

The Tshechu is a religious festival celebrated on tenth day of a lunar calendar month corresponding to birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). However, the exact month of the Tshechu varies from place to place and temple to temple. It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once in lifetime, in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins.

The wonderfully orchestrated three-day Gasa Tshechu (festival) is celebrated at Gasa Dzong, the district headquarters of remote villages of Laya & Lunana. Gasa district, home to highlander communities, is located in northwest Bhutan, about 3-hour drive from Punakha town. The variety of mask dances performed at the festival, while the local folk dances displayed in between religious mask dances, are unique to the place and enhance festival mood and experience. One of the highlights of the Tshechu is the Goen Zhey, a very popular dance drama performed by laymen that has its origin to the Zhabdrung Rimpoche's days (17th century). The festival ends with unveiling of Thongdroel, an embroidered large painting.

(Thongdroels are especially impressive examples of Buddhist art and are considered so sacred that simply seeing a Thongdroel is said to cleanse the viewer of sin).

Photo credit : Gasa Dzongkhag Administration