The Mongar Tshechu is a three-day annual festival in the town of Mongar in eastern Bhutan that celebrates Bhutanese culture and religion. The festival is a significant event in Bhutan and is held in the courtyard of the Mongar Dzong.
History
The festival is a celebration of important dates in the Buddhist calendar. The district of Mongar, formerly known as Zhongar, was a powerful force in the Dungsam region in the 17th century.
Activities
The festival features indigenous mask dances, cultural and religious enactments, and the unfurling of the Guru Tshengye Thongdrol.
Participants
The festival is attended by people from nearby districts and as far away as Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, and Lhuentse. The Tshanglas and the Kurtoeps, the indigenous people of Mongar, are the primary attendees.
Beliefs
Followers believe that witnessing the sacred masked dances liberates a person. Participants dress in their finest attire and jewelry and immerse themselves in the festivities with great devotion.
Masks
The masks are designed to be both beautiful and terrifying, and they are believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits.
