Paro Tsechu (7 Days Tour) |7th - 11th April 2017

The Paro Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country. On the first day, all mask dances are held inside the courtyard of the Dzong. In the subsequent days, the courtyard outside the dzong hosts the festival.

The Paro Dzong, where the festival is held, is one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country. With the only airport of Bhutan located in Paro, the festival is one of the most popular with tourists. It is believed that Bhutanese should visit this festival at least once in their lifetime. Therefore the festival attracts thousands of people around the country.

The main highlights of this festival is the unveiling of Thongdrel (gaint applique scroll painting) early in the morning in the last day of the festival. It is said that onlookers are cleansed from their sins by seeing it. History has it that despite several fires, the thongdrol escaped miraculously, every time. Just about 200 meters away from the dzong is located the oldest museum in the country.

The festival is dedicated to the main protecting deity of Bhutan, Yeshey Goenpo, an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the God of Compassion. The Dalai Lama is also believed to be one of the reincarnations of Avalokiteshvara. Yeshey Goenpo, also known as Mahakala, is a wrathful deity that brings the mind into attentive focus.