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The
dates and the duration of the festival vary from one district to another
but they always take place on or around the 10th day of the month according
to the Bhutanese calendar.
During
Tshechus, the dances are performed by monks as well as by laymen. The Tshechu
is a religious festival and by attending it, it is believed one gains merits.
It is also a yearly social gathering where the people come together to
rejoice dressed in all their finery.
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THIMPHU
DRUPCHEN AND TSHECHU (RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL) |
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Monks of the central monk body do a final rehearsal in the courtyard of
the Tashichhodzong.
The
eleven-day annual Lhamoi Drupchen, a rite performed to appease the
protecting deity Pelden Lhamo (Mahakali), will be held in September. Pelden
Lhamo (whose name translates as "Glorious Goddess") is the only
female dharma protector common to all four schools of Buddhism and
one of the three main protecting deities of Bhutan. |
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The
clergy is performing a three-day rite for the Thimphu Domchoe while
the Lham Tsomo dance, a highlight of the Thimphu Domchoe festival,
will be performed in the courtyard in the Tashichhodzong.
The Drupchen was instituted sometime between 1705 and
1709 by Kuenga Gyaltshen, the first
reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, the son of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.According
to legend, Pelden Lhamo appeared before him and performed the dances while
he was in meditation. Based on these dances, Kuenga Gyeltshen initiated
the Drubchhen.
According
to the tradition of Lama Gongdue the annual Thimphu Tshechu,
introduced in 1670 on the eighth month of the Bhutanese calendar during the reign of the fourth Desi,
Tenzin Rabgye (1638-1696). The annual Thimphu Tshechu will take
place over four days end of September to commemorate the birth anniversary
of Guru Rinpoche. From the time of Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye,
based on various relevant biographies and autobiographies of saints and
rulers of the past, compassionate mask dances in the form of peaceful and
wrathful figures of most Ter-chams (sacred dances) have been composed
and are being presented for the well being of those present on the occasion,
according to the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA).
In
other religious events, the annual Phurpai Drupchen (Vajra tradition)
ceremony at the National Memorial Chorten will conclude also
end of September with the Nguedup Langwa (receiving of spiritual wisdom/power) in the morning and Jinseg (a sacred fire offering) later in the
day.
The
sacred 11-day ceremony is performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and 250 monks of the central monk body at the Dukhang (congregation
hall) of Tashichhodzong for 22 hours at a stretch in a day with
short break for meals and rest.
The
Thimphu Tshechu last for fours days during which mask and historical
folk dances are performed in the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong. All
the offices and institutes in Thimphu will remain closed for four days
to mark the Tshechu.
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THIMPHU
TSHECHU Tshechu ground to accommodate 25,000 viewers |
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Both
tourists and tshechu goers in Thimphu have complained about the crowded
courtyard of the Tashichhdzong during the annual three-day Thimphu tshechu.
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The model of the tshechu ground
Come
2008 and tshechu goers will breath comfortably with the construction of
a tshechuground behind the dzong well in progress.
According
to dzongkhag officials, the new ground measuring an area of 90,000 square
feet will comfortably hold 25,000 viewers with separate space for changing
rooms, security rooms, and a three-storied 'zeeree' for Royalty, senior
officials and VIP guests. |
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Thimphu
dzongda, Chencho Tshering, said that work has been divided into three phases
and would be completed by the end of the year.
The
first phase, site development, which started on 9 January 2008, will be
completed in 50 days, he said.
Thimphu
dzongda, Chencho Tshering, said that work has been divided into three phases
and would be completed by the end of the year.
Stone
slabs will be laid for the Dochen (court yard) in the second phase.
"The changing rooms, security rooms, and the public toilets will also be
constructed in the second phase immediately after the site development."
"With
increasing number of tourists and local tshechu goers, the capacity of
the courtyard had always been a concern," said a Thimphu dzongkhag official.
Rinson
construction who is developing the site at Nu. 6.9 million said that the
work would be completed within the scheduled time.
The
construction work is managed by the Dzong maintenance Division.
People
passing by the construction site, meanwhile said that the construction
comes as a big relief.
"I
have to wake up before dawn and rush to the courtyard to reserve place
for my family," said Penjor from Taba. "The tshechu comes only once in
a year and it is very difficult to see anything when we are late," he said.
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Contributed
by Passang Norbu, KUENSEL, Bhutan's national newspaper 2007 |
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SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE MASK DANCES |
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Durdag Chham - Dance of the Cremation Ground
Dance
and music play a very important part in the cultural life of people. Each
village and community has a rich tradition of dance, which marks the passing
seasons, communal occasions and shared experiences. Just like the building
of the dzongs and the setting up of the Chhoesi System, the dances have
had a similar part to play in helping to unite the people. Through these
dances, the ordinary people come to know their place in the history of
the country. Chhams "Religious Mask Dances" are usually performed during
Tshechus.
The
Chhams were composed mainly to convey religious messages to the people. |
Some
were composed by Guru Rimpoche while others were created by Tertoen Pema
Lingpa, Zhabdrung Rimpoche and other great saints. During the mask dances,
the deities of the tantric teachings are invoked and through their power
and blessings, misfortunes are removed. All evil spirits and demons which
are preventing the spread of Chhoe "The Doctrine" are suppressed so that
the doctrine of Lord Buddha flourish and bring joy and happiness to all
sentient beings.
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