Bhutan is the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon and in addition is a land shrouded in mystery and steeped in historical tradition. This is never extra obvious than for those who coincide your Bhutan trekking vacation through one of many country’s Buddhist tsechu festivals referred to as tsechus. There are festivals throughout the year and some travel firms present tailor-made Bhutan trekking itineraries to reap the benefits of the festival calendar.
Historical past of Tsechus
The Bhutanese are a religious folks and the tsechu is a very important occasion in their traditions. Whereas there are many of those festivals throughout the year, they’re all celebrated in honour of Guru Rimpoche who brought Buddhism to the country in the eighth and 9th century.
The story goes that Padmasambhava (the person manifestation of Guru Rimpoche) visited Bhutan with a view to present assist to an ailing king by performing a collection of rites and dances. The very number one tsechu introduced the Guru Rinpoche in eight completely different types, each via a distinct dance, and it is from these dances that the ‘Chams’, which glorify the work of Padmasambhava, evolved.
It is mentioned that Guru Rinpoche carried out all his fine deeds on the 10th day of the lunar month, from which the tsechu’s literal that means, ‘day ten’, comes. The tradition is adopted and each event is held on the tenth day of the month taken from the lunar calendar. Each district holds their extremely own celebration at different instances of the year so it’s possible to come across a couple of on a Bhutan trekking holiday.
Rites of the Tsechu
Recognized for their distinctive and endearing warmth, the Bhutanese people love the symbolic celebration of their tsechu and the whole town or city will change into involved in what can usually run over several days. While definitely religious in their meaning, they are a joyous occasion through intricate dances being performed not solely with the monks, however the local lay people as well.
Some tsechus additionally embody a blessing from a excessive lama referred to as a ‘wang’, which is claimed to disperse impurities. Those who witness this blessing are given a coloured thread to tie around their necks to symbolise the ritual cleansing. In Bhutan, trekking by way of the villages, even when you do not come across a pageant, you will often observe locals by the remnants of those threads around their necks.
In contrast to the monks, are the figures of the Atsaras, who’re the Bhutanese equal of the clown. These intriguing characters wear startlingly expressive masks they usually taunt and goad the monks and attempt to distract the crowds with their antics. Bhutan’s faith is extraordinarily sacred to their way of life and the Atsaras are the only people permitted to mock the rites, and only throughout tsechu.
A few tsechus embody much less dancing however more readings from a prescribed text. The villagers all gather together at a temple and participate in these readings whereas, on the same time, imbibing in a robust alcoholic beverage.
Tsechus are crucial in Bhutanese culture and if villagers have moved away to another area, or to the town, they are anticipated to return to their own town to participate within the celebrations. It is a real social occasion and a chance to decorate up in their best clothes and jewelry to get pleasure from helpful meals and the great firm of their fellow villagers. Visitors, trekking Bhutan, are welcomed into the festivities through the normal warmth and joy of the local individuals and it is unimaginable not to get swept up in the magic of the occasion.