Paro becomes spectacular during its own festival, Paro Tsechu. With the majestic dzong, lush valleys and a pristine river, the town looks nothing less than a painting. And this time, Paro Tsechu saw the biggest crowd ever raising the need for more space. Although there are no official records of how many witnessed the festival, the area where the festival is performed was overcrowded with over 7,000 devotees.
Unlike in the past, Paro Tsechu this year received a record number of spectators. From the dazzling costumes and masks of the mask dancers to the rich brocaded Kira and Gho, people gathered together to accumulate spiritual merits.
The tsechu is marked as a grand social event, drawing people from far and beyond. Among the crowd was 25-year-old Tenzin Namgay, draped in his finest woven Gho. He travelled for almost four hours from his village to attend the festival.
“We have to travel for almost four hours to reach here. By the time we reach, all the seats get occupied. And without a comfortable seat, we end up watching the entire tshechu standing. It is inconvenient for us. It would be a waste to go back home as we come to witness tsechu with faith.”
“Paro Tsechu usually attracts a lot of spectators. But this year, the crowd was overwhelming. Moreover, on the last day during the unfurling of the Thongdrel, the crowd doubles and it was the same this time too. I think it is high time that we extend or develop the area so that more people can be accommodated,” said Phub Tshering, a spectator from Lango.
“When we come with tourists to witness the tsechu, it is inconvenient. The spaces available are all booked already and there are no spaces available for tourists to comfortably witness the festival. It is okay for those who are young but for elderly guests, it becomes very inconvenient,” said Sangay Thinley, a tour guide.
“There were so many spectators this year. People were seated in every empty space with some sitting on steep slopes, which is risky. It would be convenient if there is a proper tsechu ground like the one in Thimphu tendrelthang,” said Changlo, another spectator from Jabana.
Meanwhile, drawing lessons from this time’s festival, the district and local leaders decided to prioritise and develop the tsechu pang.
“Learning from the experience, the district administration and the local leaders discussed the way forward. Most importantly, it is our guests and persons with disabilities who should be provided with the best of services. We will also look into developing public toilets in strategic locations. Thus, as a priority, we have decided to execute the plan on the first phase of the 13th Five-Year-Plan,” said Tshering Dorji, the Chairperson of Paro Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Paro Tsechu, a five-day festival is held every year in the month of March or at the beginning of April. It is one of the biggest attractions for tourists in the country.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sonam Pem
