Fairs & Festivals :-
Bhutanese festivals are often based on Buddhist calendar activities, and they take place all over the world during the year. They are joyous occasions marked by masked and costumed dances by monks and townspeople that last between two and four days. Traditional music and song, processions, archery trials, and other indigenous events accompany these dances. Tshechu is the most important festival in Bhutan. Every city has its own tshechu, which lasts between three and five days. It occurs on a specific day of the Lunar month (for example, 10th day of 2nd Lunar month). It is usually held in a dzong, where people from all over the district and its environs come together in peace to engage in a mass celebration.
Monks and laymen alike dress up in silk robes and animal masks and perform dances reenacting events from Guru Rinpoche's life. On the last day of the tshechu, a silk thongdrel is normally unfurled. The sight of a thongdrel is thought to wash away one's sins.
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Trongsa Tshechu: Trongsa, in central Bhutan, is the country's sacred heart, and it's Trongso Tshech attracts tens of thousands of visitors every December. Devout Buddhists travel from all over the world to obtain blessings from the unfurling of the sacred Thongdrol on the final day of the festival, which lasts four days.
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Merak Tshechu: This once-in-a-lifetime occurrence takes place in a remote valley near Trashigang Dzong, home to the nomadic Brokpa tribe. The high valley is unaffected by modernity, and its inhabitants continue to raise yaks and other animals as they have for centuries. Bartering takes the place of money, and women are allowed to have multiple husbands. The three-day festival is a one-of-a-kind experience that culminates in the unfurling of the flag.
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Gomphu Kora Festival: Another pilgrimage event in Bhutan is the Gomphu Kora Festival, which takes place every March in the eastern region. Its centrepiece is a circumnavigation of an ancient cave connected to an 8th century legend in which Guru Padmasambhava defeated an evil spirit.
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Black-necked Crane Festival: Every November, Phobjikha Village hosts a celebration commemorating the arrival of Bhutan's famous black-necked crane colony. It's a festival that not only acknowledges the birds' return to their breeding grounds, but also encourages the protection of these endangered species. The cranes are greeted with costumed and masked dances, dramatic performances, and children's songs as they return home.
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Chorten Kora Festival: This festival, held in Trashiyangtse in the county's east, commemorates the exorcism of a local demon by an 18th-century lama named Ngawang Loday, who founded the stupa in memory of the incident, which is now a prominent pilgrimage site. Every March, Bhutan hosts this festival.
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Thimphu Tshechu: The three-day Thimphu Festival, one of Bhutan's most important activities, starts on the 10th day of the eighth lunar month. The Dance of the Black Hats and masked gestures performed by monks are examples of costumed dances. The rituals and prayers last for three days, culminating in the unveiling of a massive holy thangka.
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Haa Summer Festival: This vibrant festival takes place every year in July, showcasing the citizens of Bhutan's nomadic lifestyle as well as their religion, traditional songs, dances, and music. It's a celebration of living culture in a place that has just recently begun to welcome tourists.
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Ura Yakchoe: This festival, which takes place every May in Bumthang's Ura valley, is known for its unique Ura Yakchoe dance. A holy relic is presented during the event, and its legend is retold by dramatic interpretations.
Cuisine :-
The simplicity of Bhutanese culture is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. As a result, it should come as no surprise that its cuisine reflects this. Food cooked in earthenware is traditionally eaten with hands while sitting cross-legged on the floor. Cutlery and a dining table are now used in villages, and food is prepared with modern utensils.
Food has a certain ethnic diversity as a result of the ethnic diversity of the people. In regular dishes, northern Indian cuisine is often combined with Tibetan chilies. In nearly all of the valleys, mushrooms, apricots, asparagus, a variety of chilies, and a variety of spices are grown in abundance. Beef, chicken, pork, and dried yak are cooked with spices, fruits, and vegetables resembling Indian and Chinese food. Rice, dried beef or pork, and chilies, which are often cooked with soft, white cheese, are all part of the traditional meal. Tea is the most common beverage, which can be prepared in a number of ways.
In most countries, red rice is the main staple, served with every plate except in Bumthang, where noodles and buckwheat pancakes are substituted. Bhutan's national dish is Ema Datshi. It is consumed in almost every meal across the world. It's normally made up of cheese and spicy chilies. Another Bhutanese delicacy is momos, which are stuffed with pork, beef, or cabbages.