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Punakha Dromche
 Dromche (festival) generally include dances
and this festival is dedicated to Yeshe Gompo (Mahakala) or Palden Lhamo,
the two main protective deities of Drukpas (Drukpas = means people of Druk
land or Bhutanese). Punakha Dromche take place in the first month of the
lunar year and ends with ‘Serda’, a magnificent procession which re-enacts
an episode of the war against the Tibetan in the 17th century.
The religious dances performed during
festival are called ‘Cham’ and there are a large number of them. Dancers
wear spectacular costumes made of yellow silk or rich brocade, often
decorated with ornaments of carved bone. For certain dances, they wear masks
which may represent animals, fearsome deities, skulls or just simple human
beings. These dances can be grouped in three categories; (I) Instructive or
Didactic Dances, (II) Dances that purify and protect a place from demonic
spirits, (III) Dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism.
The Thongdroel unveiled during this festival
is of enormous significance. Measuring 83 ft by 93 ft, Punakha Thogdroel (thongdroel
= huge painted scroll) is the largest ever made. Composed entirely of
applique on more than 6,000 metres of silk brocade, it took 51 artists, two
years to complete. Depicting 20 of the greatest gurus and sages around the
central figure of Shabdrung, the top half of the Thongdroel is devoted to
the eleven manifestations of Shabdrung’s lineage. The bottom half depicts
Bhutan’s spiritual leaders including the current Je Khenpo (chief abbot).
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