Public holidays in Bhutan#Winter solstice

Bhutan has sixteen public holidays.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcsc.gov.bt/tmpfolder/CalendarOfEvent/holiday.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328055612/http://www.rcsc.gov.bt/tmpfolder/CalendarOfEvent/holiday.htm |archive-date=2012-03-28 |title=Public Holidays for the year 2011 |publisher=Royal Civil Service Commission, Government of Bhutan |date=2011-04-26 |access-date=2011-07-26}} Bhutanese holidays are rooted in the Drukpa Lineage of Kagyu Buddhism, the House of Wangchuck and the Tibetan calendar. Even secular holidays, however, have a measure of religious overtone, as religious choreography and blessings mark these auspicious days.{{cite book|title=Bhutan Foreign Policy and Government Guide |volume=20 |series=World Foreign Policy and Government Library |publisher=International Business Publications |year=2000 |isbn=0-7397-3719-8 |pages=46–47 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_EWuvGysPSIC |access-date=2011-07-27}}

{{Main|Nyilo}}

Winter solstice celebration in Bhutan known as Nyilo ({{langx|dz|ཉི་ལོག}}, {{bo|w=nyi log}} "return of the sun"),{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=7881 |title=Observing Ngenpa Guzom |date=2007-12-27 |publisher=Kuensel online |first=Rinzin |last=Wangchuk |access-date=2011-07-27}} is a public holiday.{{cite web|title=Winter Solstice Holiday Resource |url=http://www.marktheday.com/nationholidaydates/btn_wintersolstice.aspx |publisher=MarktheDay.com |access-date=2011-07-27}} Nyinlog is considered the most auspicious day of the year. It is celebrated like new year among some western Bhutan, though more so in the central and eastern regions, where the shortest day of the year is marked with archery and feasting.

{{Main|Traditional Day of Offering}}

The Traditional Day of Offering (Dzongkha: buelwa phuewi nyim) is a holiday usually falling in January or February, on the 1st day of the 12th month of the calendar. The main purpose behind this holiday is to give thanks to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan.{{cite web|url=http://bhutanjournals.com/history-culture-tradition/buddhism/traditional-day-of-offering/ |title=Traditional Day of Offering |publisher=Bhutan Journals online |access-date=2011-07-27}} It also focuses on charity, particularly feeding others, and recreation.{{cite web |date=2011-07-03 |title=Holidays of Bhutan Fall/Winter |url=http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/visitor/festivals/holidays/holidays2_.html |access-date=2011-07-26 |publisher=Far Flung Places & Bhutan Tourism Corporation}} The day is celebrated with feasting and traditional sports, including archery, digor, and khuru (darts).{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6488 |title=Traditional Day of Offering |publisher=Kuensel online |date=2006-01-29 |access-date=2011-07-27}} This holiday may have originally begun as a Bhutanese new year celebration.{{cite web |last=Namgyel |first=Tenzin |date=2010-01-17 |title=The Real Losar? |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14500 |access-date=2011-07-27 |publisher=Kuensel online}}

Dawa Dangpa Losar (Dzongkha {{lang|dz|ལོ་གསར་}}, {{bo|w=lo gsar}}), or simply Dangpa losar, the Bhutanese New Year is celebrated on the 1st day of the 1st month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar, which usually falls between February and March. Festivities last 15 days, ahead of which people spend much time preparing food and alcohol and cleaning their homes of old and unused objects.{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=16517 |title=The Cooking Up |publisher=Kuensel online |first= Dechen |last=Tshering |date=2011-01-06 |access-date=2011-07-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/our-cousins-in-losar-celebrations/ |title=Our Cousins in Losar Celebrations |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |first=Rabi C |last=Dahal |date=2010-02-12 |access-date=2011-07-27}} The common Losar greeting is "Losar Tashi Delek."

February 21–23 are holidays commemorating the birth anniversary of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo.

Zhabdrung Kurchoe marks the passing of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1651 at Punakha Dzong. It is observed on the 10th day of the 3rd month of the Bhutanese calendar. The holiday is a national day of mourning.{{cite web|url=http://www.kingdomofbhutan.com/visitor/festivals/holidays/holidays_.html |title=Holidays of Bhutan Spring/Summer |publisher=Far Flung Places & Bhutan Tourism Corporation |date=2011-07-03 |access-date=2011-07-26}}

May 2 is the birth anniversary of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who began Bhutan's first steps toward modernization (b. 1928, Thruepang Palace, Trongsa).

The day is also celebrated as Teacher's day throughout the country. The day sees students coordinating various programs at schools and institution showing gratitude to their teachers. Students gift cards to Teachers, while some students substitute their teachers in class to give them a time-out. The day also constitute cultural programs showcasing various dance and song items focusing on teachers and their contributions. The day usually ends with a common meal for the entire school or institution.

June 2 is the coronation day of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 4th Druk Gyalpo (1974). It also doubles as Social Forestry Day, where children plant trees.

Lord Buddha's Parinirvana Day or Duechen Nga Zom is observed on the 15th day of the 4th month of Bhutanese calendar. On this day, Lord Buddha was conceived, born, subdued evil, gained enlightenment and attained Nirvana. The day is considered as one of the most auspicious days for Buddhists and is a public holiday in Bhutan.{{Cite web |title=Nation observes Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana |url=https://www.bbs.bt/41087/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=BBSCL |language=en-US}}

The Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche is observed on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Bhutanese calendar in Bhutan.{{Cite web |title=Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites |url=https://bhutanpilgrimage.com/guru-rinpoche-and-his-visit-to-bhutan/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=bhutanpilgrimage.com |language=en-US}}

The First Sermon of Lord Buddha is observed on the 4th day of the 6th month of the Bhutanese calendar. It is also known as Drugpa Tshezhi, and is one of the holiest days in the Buddhist calendar. On this day, Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon or turned the first wheel of dharma at Sarnath. Therefore, the day is also called Chokhor Duechen.{{Cite web |title=Drugpa Tshezhi and the Buddha’s First Sermon |url=https://kuenselonline.com/drugpa-tshezhi-and-the-buddhas-first-sermon-2/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Kuensel Online}}

Blessed Rainy Day (Dzongkha: thruebab) generally falls in September, and is held on an auspicious day during monsoon season. The traditional holiday has not always been a public holiday, but was rather recently reinstated to official status.{{cite web |url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/thruebab-brings-fields-alive/ |title=Thrubab Brings Fields Alive |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |first=Karma |last=Palden |date=2010-10-24 |access-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403030535/http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/thruebab-brings-fields-alive/ |archive-date=2012-04-03 }} The event is marked by feasting, drinking alcohol, playing traditional sports, and purification through washing. In some parts of Pemagatshel, the traditional celebrations are more intense than those of even Losar.{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/bathing-in-celestial-precipitation/ |title=Bathing in Celestial Precipitation |first=Gembo |last=Namgyal |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |date=2010-09-25 |access-date=2011-07-27}}

Dashain, the main Nepalese (and Hindu festival, falls on October 6.{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/the-significance-of-dashain-festival/ |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |title=The Significance of Dashain Festival |date=2010-10-23 |first=Achyut |last=Bhandari |access-date=2011-07-27}} During this holiday, houses are cleaned and replastered, gifts are exchanged, and families gather. Dashain has been a public holiday in Bhutan.{{cite web|url=http://raonline.ch/pages/bt/rel/btrel_festival00c.html |title=Bhutan Festivals |publisher=RAOnline |date=2011-06-17 |access-date=2011-07-27}}

November 1 marks the coronation day of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo (2008).

November 11 marks the birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 4th Druk Gyalpo (b. 1955, Dechencholing Palace, Thimphu). The holiday is also called Constitution Day; under this king and at his behest, the Constitution of Bhutan was enacted.

Lhabab Duchen or Descending Day of Lord Buddha is a public holiday observed on 22nd day of the 9th month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar. Lhabab Duchen marks Gautama Buddha's return to Earth after attaining Nirvana. In the eastern regions of Bhutan, the holiday is a popular occasion for performing Lhasoel, which are religious offerings in the form of ara (traditional wine), blessings, and supplications.{{cite web |url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/it-is-lhasoel-time-in-the-east/ |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |title=It is Lhasoel Time in the East |first=Gyembo |last=Namgyal |date=2010-01-19 |access-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120121521/http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/it-is-lhasoel-time-in-the-east/ |archive-date=2011-01-20 }}

{{Main|National Day of Bhutan}}

The National Day (Gyalyong Duechen) of Bhutan is December 17. The date marks the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of modern Bhutan.{{cite web |url=http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf |title=The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (Art. 1) |format=PDF |date=2008-07-18 |publisher=Government of Bhutan |access-date=2010-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162637/http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20%28A5%29.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-06 }} Celebrations are held at Changlimithang Stadium, and include a public address by the Druk Gyalpo and a procession including a statue of Ugyen Wangchuck to honor the first Druk Gyalpo and the independent Bhutanese nation.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbs.com.bt/bbs/?p=2667 |publisher=Bhutan Broadcasting Service |title=National Day Celebrations |date=2010-12-17 |access-date=2011-07-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/december-17-the-essence/ |title=December 17, the Essence |first=Ugyen |last=Tenzin |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |date=2009-12-19 |access-date=2011-07-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/293260/national-day-bhutan |publisher=Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation online |date=2010-12-16 |title=National Day of Bhutan |access-date=2011-07-27}}

These are other major festive celebrations in Bhutan that are not part of the national public holidays.

Lomba Festival is a New Year of two western districts of Paro and Haa. The festival falls on the 29th day of the 9th lunar month in the Bhutanese calendar.{{Cite web |title=Lomba: The New Year of Paro and Haa Regions {{!}} Mandala Collections - Texts |url=https://texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu/text/lomba-new-year-paro-and-haa-regions |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu}}{{Cite web |title=Haa's Lomba tradition of singing lolay on decline |url=https://www.bbs.bt/195738/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=BBSCL |language=en-US}} Hoentay is an important part of the Lomba for the people of Haa{{Cite web |title=Hoentey losing pride of place during Lomba |url=https://kuenselonline.com/hoentey-losing-pride-of-place-during-lomba/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Kuensel Online}} while for the people for Paro is called Jomju.

{{Main|Ngenpa Gudzom}}

Ngenpa Gudzom is one of the major festive events in the Bhutanese calendar usually observed on the 7th day of the 11th Bhutanese month annually.{{Cite web |title=Ngenpa Gudzom: The Day of Nine Evils {{!}} Mandala Collections - Texts |url=https://texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu/text/ngenpa-gudzom-day-nine-evils |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu}} The day is considered the most inauspicious day on the Bhutanese calendar.{{Cite web |title=Many Bhutanese observe Ngyenpa Guzom |url=https://www.bbs.bt/47598/#google_vignette |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=BBSCL |language=en-US}} It is widely celebrated by the people of central and eastern regions of Bhutan.{{Cite web |title=RAOnline Bhutan: Bhutanese Culture - The most inauspicious of days on the Bhutanese calendar: Ngenpa Guzom - Khuru |url=https://www.raonline.ch/pages/bt/cult/bt_ngenpaguzom.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=www.raonline.ch}} Nyenpa Guzom or The Meeting of Nine Evils is not a public holiday in Bhutan. The day was removed from the national holiday list in 2007.{{Cite web |title=Ngyenpa Guzom today |url=https://kuenselonline.com/ngyenpa-guzom-today/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Kuensel Online}}

{{main|Tsechu}}

{{Css Image Crop|Image=Paro Tsechu.jpg |bSize=1000 |oTop=300 |oLeft=335 |cWidth=250 |cHeight=300

|Location=right |Description=Paro tsechu}}

File:Part of the day 2 opening session, Paro Tsechu.jpg tsechu]]

File:Dance of the Lord of Death (Paro, Bhutan).jpg, Paro]]

File:Tsechu cham.jpg dancers, Wangdue Phodrang tsechu]]

Numerous tsechus, or festivals, take place for up to five days each at different locales across Bhutan. These usually feature large-scale pageantry and costumes, allegorical dances, archery, and music. These festivals are centuries-old traditions functioning not only as links to the past but also attract large numbers of tourists.{{cite book|title=The Traveler's Handbook: The Insider's Guide to World Travel |series=Traveler's Handbook Series |editor=Lorie, Jonathan |editor2=Sohanpaul, Amy |edition=9 |publisher=Globe Pequot |year=2006 |isbn=0-7627-4090-6 |page=206 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39JCQUe2T5kC |access-date=2011-07-27}}

Below is a list of major tsechus in Bhutan, along with their 2011 dates. Dates in other years will vary.

• Dashain
• Lhabab Duchen
• Losar
• Tsechu
• Culture of Bhutan
• National Day of Bhutan

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{{Asia topic|Public holidays in}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Public Holidays in Bhutan}}

Bhutan