Wangdue Phodrang Festival

Wangdue Phodrang Festival

Wangdue Phodrang in central Bhutan is known for the Lozeys or the ornamental speeches. Some of the notable Lozeys are the sorrows of Gaylong Sumdar Tashi, who was sent as a monk and that of Pemai Tshewang Tashi who served as an official at the Dzong. The Dzong houses the administrative and religious centre of the Dzongkhag and was built in 1639 by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel at the confluence of Puna Tsang Chu and Dang Chu.

The annual Wangduephodrang tshechu was introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel after the completion of the Dzong. The three-day annual Tshechu sees people from fifteen geogs in the Dzongkhag with others from nearby Dzongkhags like Punakha and Thimphu. Three day tsehchu provides the people with an occasion to partake in entertainment and revelry. The Tshechu is known for the Raksha Mangcham or the dance of the Ox which is performed on the final day of the tshechu. It concludes with the unfurling of the Guru Tshengye (Eight manifestations) Thongdroel where people throng to receive blessings.