Nimalung Tshechu is a 3-day annual festival held from the 8th to the 10th day of the 5th Bhutanese month, coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. The festival honors Guru Rinpoche, the revered spiritual master who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.
In 2025, the festival was from the 3rd to the 5th of July. It is performed in the courtyard of Nimalung Monastery in Bumthang. Nimalung Tshechu festival includes masked dances, an unfurling of Guru Thongdrel, and traditional songs and dances performed by the monks.
You can attend both Nimalung Tshechu and Kurjey Tshechu as they are celebrated on the Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche. The Nimalung festival begins two days ahead of the Kurjey festival.
How to Reach the Nyimalung Dratshang
Nimalung Dratshang is located in the Chumi Valley of Bumthang Dzongkhag in Bhutan. The festival ground of Nimalung Dratshang is a 15-minute drive from the main Chamkhar town of Bumthang. You can reach Bumthang by road or by air.
History of Nimalung Tshechu Festival
According to history, Guru Rinpoche visited Bumthang Valley, tamed evil spirits, spread Buddhism, and blessed the region in the 8th century. So, to honor the legacy of Guru Rinpoche, Nimalung Monastery started this annual festival.
Significance of the Nimalung Tshechu Festival
Nimalung Tshechu honors Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. The festival is not only a spiritual event but a significant social gathering too. During the Tshechu, local people come together to offer prayers, seek blessings, and celebrate the event with good food. For tourists, it is a rare opportunity to witness the unique dances and traditional songs while connecting with the lovely people of Bumthang Valley.
Description of Nimalung Tshechu Festival
Nimalung Tshechu festival is a three-day annual festival held from the 8th to the 10th day of the 5th Bhutanese month. It is celebrated at the courtyard of Nimalung Dratshang, coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche. The Nimalung festival usually falls in the month of June or July, depending on the lunar calendar.
The festival includes masked dances, the unfurling of Guru Thongdrel, and traditional songs and dances performed in the courtyard of the monastery. During the festival, a sacred “treasure text”, Lama Norbu Gyamtso, from the great saint Pema Lingpa, is also recited.
Traditional Masked Dances (Cham)
During the Tshechu, traditional masked dances (Cham) such as the Black Hat Dance, Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds, the Three Ging, and the Drummers of Drametse are performed. The Durdag, or Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds, is one of the highlights of the Nimalung Tshechu. This dance symbolizes mortality and the victory of good over evil. The dancers portray furious gods defeating evil forces with symbolic weapons while wearing intricate costumes decorated with skulls and bones.
Unveiling of the Thongdrel
Unveiling the Thongdrel, a huge silk appliqué on the last day of the festival, is another important celebration ritual. It is said that those who see this holy banner would receive protection and benefits.
On the morning of the 10th day of the 5th month of the Bhutanese calendar, the 9-metre-long and 12-metre-wide Thongdrol of Guru Rinpoche is unfurled on the facade of the monastery. The Thongdrel represents Guru Rinpoche, his two consorts, and his eight manifestations. It also has important historical and spiritual figures of Bhutan, such as Pema Lingpa, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and Doring Trulku.
The Thongdrol was offered to the monastery by Lopen Pemala, made with the financial support of a Japanese lady. It was consecrated by Lhalung Thugse Rinpoche, the mind-incarnation of Pema Lingpa, in 1994.
Classical Songs and Dances
Another important part of the festival is traditional singing and dancing. The local musicians and traditional dancers entertain the crowd with classical tunes and Bhutanese steps, in between the colorful masked dances.
Conclusion
Bhutan is known for its vibrant festivals, and the Nimalung festival is one of them. The festival features sacred mask dances by monks of Nimalung Dratshang and traditional songs by Dzongkhag dancers. A highlight of the festival is the unfurling of a huge Thongdrol, a sacred scroll of thangka painting, believed to liberate oneself from merely seeing it. You can attend the festivals of Bhutan with the Bhutan Festival Package.
Enjoyed reading this blog?
