Druk Wangyel Tshechu – A commemoration festival of victory

The unique, Druk Wangyel Tshechu is celebrated every year on 13th of December on a hilltop at 3100m near Dochula pass, against the backdrop of magnificent Himalayan Mountain ranges, as a tribute to wise leadership of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the Fourth King of Bhutan for leading the successful military operation in 2003 against the Assamese militants. The festival also celebrates the continuous efforts of the Royal Bhutan Army in protecting the sovereignty and the stability of the country.

This one of the king festivals was inaugurated in 2011 at the behest of Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and is different than other religious festivals in which performances are done by Royal Bhutan Army rather than monks or lay people.

In a peaceful country like Bhutan where conflicts are uncommon, unheard and military operations are extremely rare, yet this particular operation deemed necessary to dislodge the Assamese militants who were hiding from Government of India in Bhutan’s otherwise uninhabited southern forests. In a brilliant ambush militant were dislodged in one night and the Royal Bhutan Army emerged victorious. The performers of this festival thus have a sacred duty and it’s all original dances commemorate and re-enact this crucial military operation for the spectators.