Festivals in Bhutan
Tshechus [festivals] are religious events. The ground where they are held is purified and consecrated by lamas, so when you are watching a festival you are in essence on holy ground. Your conduct should be governed with this in mind. The dancers, whether monks or laymen, are in a state of meditation and they transform themselves into the deities which they represent.
Tshechus are not pageants or entertainment. They are not held as tourist attractions. They are a social gathering and a genuine manifestations of religious traditions thousands of years old, which outsiders are given the privilege of witnessing.
With this in mind it should be clear that disrespectful behaviour is out of place. The dance ground is not a place to eat, drink, smoke or talk loudly at inappropriate times. Common courtesy must rule one's actions when photographing dancers or onlookers.
The tshechus are the soul of Bhutan and they offer a chance to see and feel the spirit that moves this magical country. The dates and duration of the festivals varies from district to district but they always take place around the 10th day of the month – according to the Bhutanese calendar.
Archery
You will find archery in every town and village in Bhutan. It's a serious business and teams will 'sledge' each other mercilessly to gain advantage.
