Nimalung Tshechu – A captivating annual Buddhist festival held at scenic Chumey valley of the Central Bhutan

Nimalung monastery is located in Chumey valley of Bhutan, about 15-minute drive from heart of town. The monastery was co-founded by Dasho Gonpo Dorji and Doring Trulku Jamyang Kunzang, the third mind-aspect reincarnation of Terton Jigme Lingpa in 1935. The two-storey monastery houses a magnificent statue of Guru Rinpoche. It is decorated with murals of the Nyingmapa and Drukpa traditions, paintings of Guru Rinpoche and his disciples, the lineage of Terton Pema Lingpa and several Buddhist masters associated with the monastery.

The local annual festival is held here in the fifth month of Bhutanese lunar calendar and consists of series of colourful and spectacular religious mask dances including, Black Hat Dance, Three Ging and Drummers of Drametse and recitation of the Lama Norbu Gyamtso, a famous treasure text from the great saint Pema Lingpa. On the last day of the festival, an awe-inspiring Thongdroel (large tapestry) of Guru Rinpoche is put on display for public veneration and to receive blessing. The nine metre long and twelve metres wide Thongdroel representing Guru Rinpoche, his two consorts and his eight manifestations as well as other important historical and religious figures of Bhutan, was donated by Lopen Pemala and consecrated in 1994.