Paro Tshechu
One of Bhutan's largest festivals: five days of masked dances at Rinpung Dzong in spring, ending with the dawn unveiling of a giant thongdrel.
Overview
The Paro Tshechu is held each spring at Rinpung Dzong and is one of the best-known festivals in Bhutan. For five days, monks and lay dancers perform cham, the sacred masked dances, in the dzong courtyard and on the festival ground below, watched by families from across the valley in their finest clothes.
Before dawn on the final day, a huge thongdrel, a sacred appliqué thangka showing Guru Rinpoche and his eight manifestations, is unfurled on the building above the festival ground. It is taken down before the sun can touch it. Seeing it is believed to bring blessings.
Festival dates
| Dates | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Mar to 2 Apr 2026 | Tentative | Thongdrel unveiled on the last day |
| 18 to 22 Mar 2027 | Tentative | Thongdrel unveiled on the last day |
Festival dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and change every year. Dates shown are tentative, from the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators festival lists (2026 list updated 23 January 2025; 2027 list updated 14 February 2025). We confirm dates with the organisers before you book. Last checked 27 September 2026.
History and meaning
Tshechus are held in honour of Guru Rinpoche, who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan. Watching the masked dances is itself considered a blessing: each dance tells a story or teaches a lesson, from the defeat of harmful spirits to the path after death.
How to attend
Dress smartly and modestly: long sleeves and long trousers or skirts. Arrive early to find a place around the courtyard, and bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Never walk across the dance ground during the performances, keep a respectful distance from the dancers, and do not use flash. Your guide will explain the meaning of each dance as it happens.
Travel and accommodation
Hotels near the big festivals fill months in advance. If you want to attend, tell us your dates as early as possible so we can secure rooms and plan the rest of your route around the festival days.
Where it takes place