A huge number of people turned up to attend the last day of annual Gelegphu Tshechu that ended yesterday. The addition of Druk Wangyel Pazab cham in its annual Tshechu drew in a huge crowd. Her Majesty The Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, accompanied by Galyum Thinley Choden graced the last day of the Tshechu.
The highlight of the last day was Druk Wangyel Pazap Cham by the soldiers. The addition of this new cultural event added colour and brought excitement to the people of Sarpang dzongkhag. Druk Wangyel Pazap Cham is a tribute to the wise leadership of His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo. It also celebrates the continuous efforts of the Royal Bhutan Army in protecting the sovereignty and stability of the country.
“We are very excited because Her Majesty The Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck instituted Druk Wangyel Pazam cham for the first time in the annual GelegphuTshechu,” said Lekey Wancghuk.
“I came all the way from Buli in Zhemgnag to witness the annual GelegphuTshechu after hearing that the Druk Wangyel Pazab cham have been instituted in the tshechu by Her Majesty The Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, said another local from Zhemgang district,” added another.
With an increasing number of people hoarding on the last day of the event, the courtyard could not accommodate people inside. Some had to witness it from outside the courtyard. The huge turnout was possible largely due to the banning of gaming activities which otherwise discouraged people to attend the event.
“During the celebrations, people put up gaming activities and deter people from attending the Tshechu. But this year, gaming activities were banned by the dzongkhag administration and this has increased the number of people attending the Tshechu,” added the locals.
The annual Gelephu Tshechue is performed to honour Guru Rinpochhe. The three-day Gelephu Tshechue concluded with the unfurling of Guru TshengyeThongdrel.
Karma Wangdi
