The four-day annual Thimphu Tshechu came to an end today, with thousands flocking the Tendrelthang in Trashichhoedzong to receive blessings from the Guru Tshengye. With the Tshechu, various festivities in the capital are also drawing to a close today. Thousands were seen walking up and down the Norzin Lam, shopping, eating, and enjoying the feel of the festive season in the past few days.
Dressed in their best Ghos and Kiras, especially bought for the festival, people from in and around Thimphu came out in droves to soak in the blessings and enjoy the festivities of the annual Thimphu Tshechu.
The final day of the festival is the Guru Tshengye Cham or the dance of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
Other highlights of the day included the Pacham, Durdag, Ging and Tsholing, and the Rigma Chudru cham, or the dance of the 16 fairies.
Thimphu Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in the country. The festival not only attracts Bhutanese but also tourists from across the globe.
Some of the shopkeepers that BBS talked to said it was an opportunity to clear their old stock at a discounted price.
“Both the government and the people suffered during lockdowns. But with these opportunities, we can clear our old stocks. It also benefited all of us. We are happy when the government provides us with such an opportunity. If we sell like usual it is difficult to pay rent,’’ said Tandin Tshering, a shopkeeper.
‘‘I could see multiple displays of items and people were very happy regarding the offer. If such an offer is there people will enjoy doing their shopping. The rates are also cheaper,’’ said Chojay Wangdi, a customer.
However, stalls at the Changlimithang parking area, which was closed yesterday, were not happy that they were not allowed to run till the end of the tshechu.
‘‘Today is the last day of the Tshechu and it would have benefited us a lot if they allowed us to keep our event till today so that we the shopkeepers could make money. Our programme ended yesterday evening. In the past, with the ending of the Tshechu, our events also ended. We do not know what happened this year,’’ said Karma Dorji, a shopkeeper.
“Tshechu is celebrated once a year and in the past, we did not get the opportunity to gather together due to COVID-19. When there was an opportunity we were asked to close. People come to have momo and beverages and ask us why it was closed today,” said Tandin Wangdi, a shopkeeper.
During the holidays, an art festival was also held by VAST Bhutan. An event, which captivated the hearts and minds of young people visiting the Norzin Lam area.
“Save the Children has funded these activities. Under these activities, youths are coming forward to bring the importance of art. So, we have live art, which is being done by everybody who walks in. And we have musicians, dancers, and other artists who are doing live painting,” said Deepika Adhikari, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, Save The Children.
Thimphu Tshechu was instituted by the fourth Desi Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye in the 15th century to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sherub Dorji
