Laya has been turned into a hub of celebration as the Third Royal Highland Festival got underway today. More than a thousand people, including tourists, are attending the two-day festival.
The festival is a landmark activity of Gasa Dzongkhag.
Gasa Dzongdag Dorji Dradhul said the festival is driven by the goal of making the Highlands a vibrant and thriving economy.
The festival aims to promote the sustainable livelihood of highlanders, showcase highlander’s innovation, and exhibit the highlands as a pride of Bhutan.
The festival also brings together highlanders from other parts of Bhutan to exchange values, knowledge, skills and best practices related to highlands and yak farming.
The Royal Highland Festival was first introduced on 16th Of October 2016 to mark the celebration of the Birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, 400 years of Zhabdrung’s arrival in the country and the Rabjung (60-year cycle) birth year of Guru Rinpoche.
The festival showcases the beauty and wonders of Gasa Dzongkhag through its nature, history and age old culture and tradition.
The festival is gaining popularity among locals and visitors alike. Despite the fact it takes place at over 3000 metres above the sea level, the festival is emerging to be a crowd-puller.