His Majesty the King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen graced the Peling Tshechu at Kuensel Phodrang in Thimphu, yesterday. Their Majesties the Queen Mothers and other members of the Royal family also joined thousands of people gathered to witness the Tshechu.
A Royal presence at the sacred religious festival added colour to the holy event.
Peling Tshechu is to celebrate the Birth of His Royal Highness the Gyalsey, commemorate the 400 years of Zhabdrung’s arrival to Bhutan and to mark the Guru Rinpoche’s Birth Year.
The cabinet ministers lead by the Prime Minister, representatives from the Zhung Dratshang and armed force personnel offered Kusung Mendrel of Tshepakme statue to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen.
Under the watchful eyes of the towering Buddha statue, the three day Peling tsechu began with Peling Phagcham, the dance of the boar.
The festival will present important mask dances visualised by Terton Pema Lingpa, a spiritual heir of Guru Rinpoche.
People’s Initiative in Celebrating a Special Anniversary, PICSA, in collaboration with home ministry is organising the Tshechu.
Over 200 dancers from seven dzongkhags are in Thimphu for an elaborate performance.
The three-day event is being held at Kuensel Phodrang where the 201 feet tall statue of Buddha Dordenma stands.