10 hand picked photographs of Yonphula Tsechu:East Bhutan. Tsechu the annual religious festival held in each district or Dzongkhag of Bhutan is celebrated on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar.It is a festival of Drukpa Buddhism. An important part of the festival is the Masked Dance. The performers wear different masks and dance in order to get blessings from god and ward off evil sprites.ByGeorge Thengummoottil2012-04-29
 A CHARM DANCE PERFORMER BLESS THE AUDIENCE DURING THE DANCE Photographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, BhutanTsechu which means day ten are Bhutanese annual religious festivals held in each district or dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. The month depends on the place, but usually is around the time of October. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism. The Thimphu tsechu and the Paro tsechu are among the biggest of the tsechus in terms of participation and audience. Tsechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. Large make shift markets also congregate at the fair locations, leading to brisk commerce.  A CHARM DANCE PERFORMER BLESS THE AUDIENCE DURING THE DANCE Photographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, BhutanThe focal point of the tsechus are the sacred Cham Dances, commonly known as masked dance. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingmapa teacher Padmasambhava and other saints. Most tsechus also feature the unfurling of a thongdrel - a large tapestry typically depicting a seated Guru Rinpoche surrounded by holy beings, the mere viewing of which is said to cleanse the viewer of sin. The thongdrel is unrolled before dawn and rolled up by morning. Very unique musical instruments are played during the performance of masked Dance.  A CHARM DANCE PERFORMER BLESS THE AUDIENCE DURING THE DANCE Photographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, Bhutan ALL IN ACTION : DURING MASK DANCE AT YONPHULA TSECHU,KANGLUNG BHUTANPhotographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, BhutanThe Yonphula monastery courtyard with monks performing masked dance and spectators watching. The Eastern Bhutan is not open to heavy tourism and the only spectators are usually Bhutanese. Thousands arrive to watch this spectacular event. Bhutans prominent institution of Higher education, Sherubtse College is only 10 kilometers away from Yonphula.  A CHARM DANCE PERFORMER BLESS THE AUDIENCE DURING THE DANCE Photographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, Bhutan ALL IN ACTION : DURING MASK DANCE AT YONPHULA TSECHU,KANGLUNG BHUTANPhotographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, BhutanThe Yonphula monastery courtyard with monks performing masked dance and spectators watching. The Eastern Bhutan is not open to heavy tourism and the only spectators are usually Bhutanese. Thousands arrive to watch this spectacular event. Bhutans prominent institution of Higher education, Sherubtse College is only 10 kilometers away from Yonphula.  A CHARM DANCE PERFORMER BLESS THE AUDIENCE DURING THE DANCE Photographed by George Thengummoottil at Kanglung, Trashigang, BhutanThe masks are usually made of Clay or from Wood, and are very heavy. The performers wrap clothes around their head to protect themselves from the weight.
2 Comments | pema wangda(wangdapema14@yahoo.in) | Jun-08-2012(Fri) | I would be very happy if they show the temples and lhakhang...any i loved it...god bless...miss bhutan alots.....
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| Achintya Das(das.achintya@ymail.com) | Aug-23-2012(Thu) | Incredible moment & photography
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