The people of Nganglam Dungkhag in Pema Gatshel came out in droves to enjoy the annual dungkhag Tshechu after a gap of three years. The tshechu was a closed-door event for the past three years owing to the covid pandemic. However, this year too, people would have missed the tshechu had it not been preponed.
The tshechu was preponed to adhere to the Election Commission of Bhutan’s notification, which restricts social and religious events starting in February leading up to the National Council elections.
The tshechu usually takes place in February from the 8th day of the first month of the lunar calendar.
According to the Lam Penjor Tshering of the Pekar Choling Yenlag Rabdey, keeping religious festivals like tshechu will impact our culture. He said, “we may risk our people coming to tshechu in casual uniforms like tourists.”
People are happy with the decision and for the opportunity to receive tshechu blessings.
Dechhenling Gup, Jimba Phuntsho said the preponement decision has delighted the people of Nganglam town and three gewogs in Nganglam Dungkhag.
“People were saying that they are not able to travel to a faraway place to witness Tshechu, so it was preponed by a month,” he added.
Yangchen from Nganglam town, who was witnessing the tshechu on the first day said, “I wanted to witness the tshechu this time around. It would have been sad if we could not do so this year as well.”
A private company employee, Tshering Jamba, said that it is difficult for private employees like him to go to far off places to witness tshechu.
He added, “if such a platform was not created, we would not have this opportunity to receive blessings from sacred mask dances.”
Instituted in 2018, the Nganglam Dungkhag’s three-day annual tshechu will conclude tomorrow.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by: Sherub Dorji
