Punakha Tshechu Festival Tour in Bhutan

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is known as the unifier of Bhutan as a nation state and he was the one who gave Bhutan and its people the distinct cultural identity that identified Bhutan from the rest of the world. During 17th century Bhutan was invaded several times by Tibetan forces seeking to seize a very precious relic, the Ranjung Kharsapani. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal led the Bhutanese to victory over the Tibetans and to commemorate the triumph he introduced the Punakha Drubchen. Since then Punakha Drubchen (also known as Puna Drubchen) became the annual festival of Punakha Dzongkhag.

A spectacular reconstruction of the battle scenario with the Tibetan army from the 17th century makes the Punakha Drubchen festival distinctive. The local militia men, known as "pazaps," dress in period-appropriate combat gear and act out the historical battle scene. This recreation brings back memories of the period when men from Thimphu's eight Tshogchens, or large village blocks, rose up and drove the invaders out of the nation when there was no standing army. Their triumph brought about a time of newly discovered internal harmony and stability.

In 2005 another festival known as Punakha Tshechu was introduced by the 70th Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choedra and the then Home Minister His Excellency Lyonpo Jigme Yoedzer Thinley. The Tshechu was introduced in response to the requests made by Punakha District Administration and local peopleto host a Tshechu in order to better preserve Buddhist teachings and keep alive the noble deeds of Zhabdrung Rimpoche.

These two celebrations offer devoted Buddhists a chance for prayer and pilgrimage in addition to being crucial in maintaining Bhutan's unique cultural heritage. In the eyes and emotions of both Bhutanese people and foreign visitors, they are really unique and a testament to the depth of the country's cultural legacy.