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Paro
Tsechu Tour 9
Days
The Tsechu is a festival honoring Guru
Padmasambhava, "one who was born from a lotus flower." This Indian
saint contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in the
Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan etc. Around 800 AD. He is the founder
of the Nyingmapa, the "old school" of Lamaism which still has numerous
followers. The biography of Guru is highlighted by 12 episodes of the model of
the Buddha Shakyamuni’s life. Each episode is commemorated around the year on
the 10th day of the month by "the Tsechu."
The dates and the duration of the festivals vary from one district to another
but they always take place on or around the 10th of the month according to the
Bhutanese calendar. During Tsechu, the dances are performed by monks as well as
by laymen. The Tsechu is a religious festival and by attending it, it is
believed one gains merits. It is also a yearly social gathering where the
people, dressed in all their finery, come together to rejoice.
The Tsechu Programme, in brief,
is as follows. Detailed explanation of the dances will be handed over to guests
on arrival in Bhutan.
Festival
Dance schedule:
Day 1 Dance 1) Shinje Yab Yum: Dance of the
Lord of Death and his consort (Costume: buffalo mask and long brocade dress) The
dance is about the role of Jambeyang as the lord of the dead.
2) Durdag: Dance of the Lords of the
Cremation Grounds (Costume: white skull masks, short shirts and boots) This
dance portrays how the lords (protectors) of the cremation grounds subjugated
the assembly of demonic powers who have violated their oath of not harming the
tantric doctrine.
3) Zshana: Dance of the Black Hats
(Costume: large black hat, felt boots and long colourful dress) The Black Hat
Dancers represent yogis who have the power to take and recreate life.
4) Dramitse Nga Cham: Dance of the
Drums from Dramitse (Costume: animal masks and knee-length yellow skirt; big
drums and curved drum sticks) This dance illustrates a vision seen by nun
Chorten Zangmo in the 15th century in which she saw the attendants of Guru
Rimpoche performing a dance.
5) Degye: Dance of the Eight Kinds of
Spirits (Costume: animal masks and knee-length yellow skirt) This dance is about
the eight types of spirits who are the masters of the three worlds: sky, earth
and the underworld.
6) Chhoshey: Religious Song (Costume:
long black skirt, yellow shirt, folded brown coat, felt boots, a circular
head-dress and a sword. The song commemorates the opening of Tsangpa Jarey
(1161-1211), of the gateway for pilgrimage to Tsari mountain (eastern Tibet).
Tsangpa Jarey was the founder of the Drukpa School. Day 2
Dance 1) Shinje Yab Yum: Dance of the
Lord of Death and his consort
(see day one No. 1)
2) Shana Nga Cham: Dance of the Black
Hats with drums. This dance symbolizes the victory of the Black Hat dancers over
the malevolent deities who persecuted the beings and Buddhists.
3) Gingsum: Dance of the three kinds of
Ging with sticks (Juging), with swords (Driging), with drums (Ngaging) Costume:
knee-length skirts, animal masks for the dance with the sticks, terrifying masks
for the dance with swords and drums. The dance of the Ging portrays the
subjugation of Jyungpo Nyulema (demons) who obstruct the doctrine of Buddha.
4) Durdag: Dance of the Lord of
Cremation Ground
(see day one: No. 2)
5) Driging: Dance of the three kinds of
Ging with swords
( see day two, No. 3)
6) Ngaging: Dance of the Three Kinds of
Ging with Drums
(see day two, No. 3)
7) Shawo Sachhi: Dance of the Stag and
the Hound. (Costume: dog mask, stag mask and knee-length yellow skirts). The
dance portrays compassion over all sentient beings as the great sage, Jetseon
Milarepa, brings harmony between the stag (prey) and a dog (the predator). Day 3
Dance 1) Durdag: Dance of the Lords of
the Cremation Grounds (see day one, No. 2)
2) Tungam; Dance of Terrifying Deities
(Costume: beautiful brocade dresses, boots and terrifying masks) This
spectacular and dramatic dance symbolizes the liberation by death of those who
cannot be led to the path of the Buddha through peaceful means. The core of the
dance depicts the sacrificial killing.
3) Guan Drug Pawos: Dance of the Heroes
with six kinds of ornaments. The Pawos or mediums are called the Heroes with six
kinds of ornaments because they wear five types of bone ornaments and hold in
their hands a tiny drum and bell.
4) Kyecham: Dance of Noblemen and
Ladies (Phole Mole)This dance depicts a part of the love story (a popular
folktale of Tibet and Bhutan) of King Norzang of the kingdom of Naden in North
India and Queen Yidrogma.
5) Shawa Shachhi - Lencham: Dance of
the Stag and the Hound. (see day two, No. 7) Day 4
Dance 1) Shinje Yab Yum: Dance of the
Lord of Death and his Consort. (see day one, No. 1)
2) Sha cham: Dance of the Four Stags
Costume: knee-length skirts and masks of antlers
3) Raksha Mangcham: Dance of the
Judgement of the Dead This is based on the Bardo Thoedrol (book of the dead), a
text hidden by Guru Rimpoche and rediscovered later by Karma Lingpa in the 14th
century.
4) Dramitse Nga Cham: Dance of the
Drums from Dramitse Day 5
Dance 1) The great Paro Thongdrol (a
huge thankha) is unfurled early in the morning and a Shugdrel Ceremony performed
(blessing and offering ceremony performed by the monk body in front of the
thankha).
2) Pacham: Dance of the Heroes Costume:
Knee-length yellow skirt and golden crown. The dancers hold a small bell (drilbu)
and a small drum (damaru) The dance portrays the act of leading believers of the
human world into the presence of Guru Rimpoche.
3) Dance of the Ging and Tsholing
(Costume: the Tsholing wear long colorful dresses and terrifying black and
orange masks with a flag on top and hold a big drum and a curved drumstick) On
the occasion of the consecration of the Samye Monastery in Tibet, Guru Rimpoche
initiated this dance to show the people of Tibet his paradise, the Zangtoepelri.
4) Guru Tshen Gye: Dance of the Eight
Manifestations of Guru Rimpoche. The eight different forms that Guru Rimpoche
assumed in order to convert different kinds of beings into Buddhism are
represented in this dance.
5) Rigma Chudrug: Dance of the Sixteen
Fairies They represent Goddesses of offerings who are divided into four
categories. Each category is again divided into four, totaling 16. 6)
Chho-Shey: Religious Song
Tour Schedule
Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport
During the journey, one will experience breath taking view of Mount Everest,
Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Chomolhari
and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you
will be received by your tour operator. who will take you to Thimphu, the
Capital, 60 Kms. from Paro Airport and about 2 hours drive. The drive to Thimphu
takes you along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the
confluence with the Wang Chu, then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu
to Thimphu. Check in at the hotel.
Evening: Reception by tour operator representatives.
Day 2 Paro Sightseeing
Drive to Drugyal Dzong ( a ruined fortress - 16 Kms away from Paro town ).
Although in ruins, this Fortress of great historical importance. It was here
that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back.
From here, the peaks of Mount Jomulhari ( Alt. 7329m ) "Mountain of
Goddess" can be seen on a clear day.
Visit the Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley
and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden
bridge roofed with shingles and abutted by two guard houses. Today, this
fortress houses the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and the district
Monk Body with about 200 monks. The central tower ( Utse ) of the fortress, is
one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong (
fortress ) was built in 1645 AD
Picnic lunch at the river bank or in the hotel.
Day 3 Paro Tshechu
After an early breakfast attend the first day of the Tshechu which is held in
the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong. This is the main Secretariat Building, where the
government official the offices and living quarters of the monk body are housed.
Lunch at the hotel
Evening: relax at the hotel or stroll through Thimphu Town.
Day 4 Morning - attend Tshechu
After lunch: two optional programmes are
1) Attend the Tshechu
2) Visit Taktsang Monastry, the tiger's nest, one of the holiest place in
Bhutan.
Evening: If the day falls on a Saturday, visit the most popular night club in
Paro known as "Millennium". This is optional. Guests can either relax
in the hotel or take an evening stroll.
Day 05 Morning: the following are two optional programmes:
1) Attend Paro Tshechu
2) Take a day excursion along the Paro valley river.
Day 6 Paro Tshechu
Attend the Paro Tsechu, and mingle around with the people of The beautiful
valley. Play the various games organized in small stalls around, and also can
take a taste of Bhutanese Dishes, which are on sale around.
Lunch will be served as pack lunch in the Tsechu ground.
Evening: Free to take a stroll or do shopping
Day 7 Paro Tsechu
The great Paro Thongdrol (a
huge thankha) is unfurled early in the morning and a Shugdrel Ceremony performed
(blessing and offering ceremony performed by the monk body in front of the
thankha).
Guest will have to get up early in the morning by 4 am, and go early for the
Thankha Display, which is the most religious occasion of the tsechu.
Visit the places around, and do some shopping.
Evening: Relax in the evening, and prepare for the morning flight.
Day 9 Paro - International Airport
Seen off by your tour guide or tour operator
 I
want this tour.
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