Festivals in Bhutan

Bhutan Festivals Thimphu Dromchoe Bhutan Festivals

The dance of the Noblemen and Ladies being performed at the second day of the Thimphu Tshechu

	Several thousand devotees attended the Lham Tsomo dance, a highlight of the 14-day annual Thimphu Domchoe festival, in the courtyard of Tashichhodzong . The monks of the Central Monk Body performed the Lham Tsomo dances such as the Lham Remati, Lhamo Karser Marjangzhi, Gotshamgye, Kangnazhi and the Lham Tsomo Cherbu Reulchen.
	The Lham Tsomo dance is performed for Pelden Lhamo (goddess or Mahakali), one ofthe three main spiritual protectors of the Drukpa Kagyue school of Buddhism. The dance was instituted some time between 1705 and 1709 by Kuenga Gyaltshen, the first reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, the son of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
	According to legend, Pelden Lhamo appeared before him and performed the dances while he was in meditation. Based on these dances, Kuenga Gyeltshen initiated the Lham Tsomo dance.The four day annual Thimphu Tshechu, introduced in 1687during the reign of the fourth Desi, Tenzin Rabgye, will normally begin end of September.