The Tshechu is
festival honouring Guru Padsambhava – ‘one who was born from lotus flower’.
This Indian saint contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric
Buddhism in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan etc. around 800
A.D. He is the founder of the Nyingmapa, the ‘old school’ of Lamaism which
still has numerous followers. The biography of Guru is highlighted by 12
episodes of the model of Buddha’s Shakyamuni’s life. Each episode is
commemorated around the year on the 10th day of the month by ‘the
tshechu’.
The dates and duration of the festivals
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 laymen. The Tshechu is a religious festival
and by attending it, it is believed one gains merit. It is also a yearly
social gathering where the people, dressed in all their finery, come
together to rejoice.
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