Bhutan Folk Festival
Location: Vicinity of the Punakha Dzong (Fortress)
Season/dates: 13, 14 &15 Dec, 2008
Duration: 3 days
Tourist Profile: Enjoys sports and games, history, culture, outdoors
Punakha is the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Situated at an elevation of 1350 meters or 4430 ft. from the sea level, it was once the capital of Bhutan. The valley has a sub-tropical kind of climate and winters are very pleasant.
The landmark of the place is its dzong or fortress-like structure called Punthang Dewachengi Phodrang. The Pho-chu or the male river flows to its right and the Mo-chu or the female river flows to its left offering a picturesque beauty to all who visit the valley. The dzong was the second of its kind built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637, who unified Bhutan under one authority, the first being Semtokha dzong built in 1629. It was also in this dzong where the first king of Bhutan Sir Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned as the first hereditary king of Bhutan in 1907.
It is in the vicinity of this dzong where a three-day festival captioned the ‘Bhutan Folk Festival’ will be held starting from 13th to 15th December 2008. The event is organized to commemorate the hundred years of monarchy in Bhutan. It will be a very special occasion for the tourists where they can get to participate with the local people in all of the events.
You will experience and discover the living tradition and culture of Bhutan which form very much the part and parcel of present-day Bhutanese life. You will also discover for yourself what Gross National Happiness really means to the Bhutanese people which otherwise is difficult to define in words.
The event will showcase different artifacts, games, dances, food, folk and religious performances. It is a festival which will portray the simplicity, complexity and understanding of Bhutanese life.
In addition, you will experience how closely-knit a family the Bhutanese people is. The monks will see that the gods are appeased through their rituals so that the festival goes on un-hindered till the end. The lay people will come forward in contributing what they can towards such events while seeing the guests are at ease and happy. Traditional games may look very simple and yet very testing in their real performance. And yes, the Bhutanese are voracious eaters and one will find lots of choice during the festival with villagers bringing their pack lunches to the ground and sharing with others.
For those who like colors and dances there can be no better choice than mask and folk dances. Mask dances are not only a source of entertainment but one which embodies spiritual enrichment. Then while you will see the richness of Bhutanese textiles on display, you will also see the real processes as to how they are done from dying to carrying out intricate designs. This too goes for other handicrafts which will all be displayed for the benefit of the visitors.
Traditional etiquette demands for harmonious behavior including serving food, eating, dressing and even walking. You will observe all of them during this festival. Therefore, it will be an opportunity one may not want to miss. You can read Bhutan in a period of three days’ time.
The scene is set and we invite you all to come and partake in this grand festival.
Tashi Delek!
