Exclusive Taste of Folk festivals

Never before did any tourists savor the exotic folk festivals of the villages of Bjena in Wangdue Phodrang region. Thus, Sha Advenrure welcomes its guests to enjoy the folk festivals and experience the true essence of the Bhutanese sociocultural life. This programme that features under the “Exclusive Taste of Folk festivals with Sha Adventure” is researched and designed by Sha Adventure. It is not in the itinerary of any tour operators in Bhutan. There are four programmes that you can relish in a pure rustic Bhutanese milieu. The programmes are:

Lhabod (Inviting the gods festival): It is a one night and a one day programme shamanic festival where the whole community participates. The ritual is conducted by a medium called Phajo and his assistant. It generally coincides with the winter solstice and marks the beginning of a new year. It is conducted in many villages of Wangdue Phodrang region. Visit Bhutan with Sha Adventure to watch the medium invite the gods throughout the night beating his ritual drum. It is also an opportunity to observe each household hoist white prayer flags on their roof top as a sign post for gods to descend to their home. The spectacular distribution of good luck arrows by the medium, concluding songs and prayers of good wishes, among many others, will keep you mesmerized and fascinated throughout the festival. Sha Adventure will take you to the Themakha village where you can hike for 2 hours 30 minutes or drive till the heart of the festival site.

Note: To all the programmes you can choose to add any number of days to visit other places. Sha adventure will advise you based on the number of days you intend to sojourn in Bhutan. You may prolong your stay in the villages and participate in the daily chores of the Bhutanese farmers such as ploug8ing the field, immersing in a hot stone bath, pounding roasted paddy, squeezing oil from mustard seeds, distilling alcohol, propitiating the evil spirits, hoisting a prayer flag, milking cows, etc. Sha Adventure can also arrange farmhouse stay.

Bala Bongko (Dance of the warriors): to invoke the guardian deity)

This is an annual shamanic ritual where a medium (Pawo) and his assistants and men of the village dressed as warriors dance to invoke and honor the guardian deity of the village as spectators watch. The team of medium and warriors tour all the villages in the locality chasing away evil spirits and wishing good health, prosperity and harmony in the village. It is an opportunity to witness the local beliefs and faith in the supernatural at display in this ritual. It is conducted on the 20^th day of the twelfth month of the Bhutanese calendar in the premises of Balakha Lhakhang.

Dolung Mani (The Festival of Dolung Monsatery)

The two day annual Dolung Mani held in sometimes in July is the main religious festival that brings the thousands of village and town folks people together. One of the attractions of the festival is the dance of Dolung Raksha (The Ox Head Mask Dance of Dolung). The Ox Head Mask, one of the main relics of Dolung Goemba, was discovered as “Ter” (treasure) by the Spiritual Master Jamgoen Nwawang Gyeltshen in the 18th century. Oral history has it that the discovery of the mask and the composition of the dance is in line with a prophecy to subdue the mermaid that habited the depths of the river below Tsangmi Zam, the bridge below Wangdue Phodrang dzong.

It is also an occasion to see the locals in their best attire come and observe the festival in deep faith.

The Khotokha village also offers wonderful opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, meditating, visiting places of pilgrimages, etc. You can plan at least three days at Khotoka. Sha Adventure can also arrange farmhouse stay.

For Detail Itinerary, you can email me at shaadventure@gmail.com