Bhutanese women in Thimphu’s Tashichho Dzong (Fortress)
After a long journey into Bhutan, we were excited to finally be in Thimphu, the country’s capital. Per our planned itinerary, our first day was supposed to be a bit relaxed but wonderful unplanned events filled our day.
The Festival
Our arrival in Thimphu happened to coincide with its Dromchoe Festival, one of the most sacred festivals in Bhutan. We are not scheduled to go to a traditional festival until few days later in Bumthang Valley, so it came as a delightful surprise when our guide told us that we were also going to this one.
Bhutanese, young and old alike, arriving in Tashichho Dzong (Fortress), Thimpu’s administrative and religious center, where the festival is held every autumn (the date changes each year but falls either in September or October).
People entering the fortress. They came from near and far to celebrate the festival.
Tens of thousands of people packed the courtyard of the Tashichho Dzong to witness Thimphu Dromchoe, a day long festival that dates back from the 17th century to honor Palden Lhamo, the chief protective deity of Bhutan.
The festival features sacred mask dances performed by monks.
Legend has it that Kuenga Gyeltshen, a holy man, initiated this spiritual festival after the deity Palden Lhamo performed the dances for him during his meditation.
We could have wiggled our way through the crowd for a closer view of the performances but we were so overwhelmed by the beautiful sea of colorful crowds that we found ourselves more fascinated in watching them than the perfomance. (We had a chance to focus on the performances in two other festivals we later attended.)
Attending the festival is part of the Bhutanese spiritual devotion. They believe that those who attend are bestowed blessings and gain spiritual merits. (This festival was followed 3 days later by an even bigger 3-day Tsechu festival. It was a busy but auspicious time for the locals).
Men looking so dignified and composed in their ghos, the Bhutanese traditional clothing for men.
And the women looked so calm and collected in their colorful kiras, the traditional clothing for women, despite having to sit on the crowded ground.
Some men were wearing traditional shoes while some women were very fashion forward wearing stilettos under their kiras.
There were many children in the festival and they were so adorable and noticeably well-behaved. Despite the overcrowded space, we didn’t hear any whining from the little ones.
Some kids had prime spots in the house – the window sills. 
Some looked bored but they were not complaining.
Young men greeting each other. The festival is a big social event for locals .
Families watching from the windows of the one of the buildings surrounding the fortress courtyard.
Monks looking down at the crowds from the temple building.
A monk scanning the crowd from the stairwell of the temple.
We found a spot on the temple stairway and met these two lovely, friendly girls who offered us tea and cookies. They were very smart and spoke very good English. We had a nice conversation with them.
While one of our little friends was busy chatting with Keith, a monk and an official behind them were busy chatting on their cellphones.
A parting shot with our young friends, who were also so sweet to obtain a special permission for us to enter the temple, which was not open to the public at that time because high government and religious officials were in there (one of the girls was a daughter of an official). The temple housed a beautiful huge Buddha that was two-stories high. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos (as were in all temples in Bhutan.)
The Buddha Point (Buddha Dordenma) 
While driving around Bhutan, we noticed this statue of Buddha sitting high on a mountaintop. We didn’t know about the existence of this giant Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, until we arrived in Thimphu.
To our delight, our guide Leki took us to the statue. We learned that it was newly constructed and is now the largest seating Buddha in the world. It is meant to bestow blessings, peace and happiness to all sentient beings. 
While the statue itself is finished, its based is yet to be completed. The base will house one thousand smaller version of the statue. The building of this giant statue is said to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan.
Buddha Point provides a breathtaking and unobstructive view of Thimphu Valley.
The City
The valley was nothing but rice fields, few farmhouses and a Dzong until the early 1960’s when Thimphu was appointed as the new capital of Bhutan.
Today, Thimphu is still very much quaint but is bustling city by Bhutanese standard. Small economical cars from India dominate the road. Commercial buildings blending modern and traditional architectures lined the streets.
Thimpu is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights. Several years ago, a traffic light was installed, however, the locals complained that it was too impersonal. Hence, the traffic police with their graceful gestures continue to direct the traffic.
Shops, restaurants and hotels lined up Norzi Lam, the main thoroughfare of Thimphu.
Some shops and restaurants in Norzi Lam.
The pleasant Clock Tower Square is a city landmark that is a popular place for social and political gathering. It is quiet on this day as most people were attending the festival.
Children playing in Clock Tower Square in front of the rows of prayer wheels.
More about Bhutanese sports, artisans, and spiritual sites in our next post on Thimphu.
Linking to Travel Tuesday, Our World Tuesday, Photo Thursday and Travel Photo Discovery.
I’ve never heard of the Dromchoe Festival, but it looks amazing and so interesting. It’s great to see locals being so involved in their culture and traditions. Everyone looks so modest and blissfully happy and these colors! AMAZING!
Agness recently posted..Low Budget Guide To Florida
Hi Agness, Dromchoe is just one of the many beautiful, amazing festivals in Bhutan. Attending the festivals is definitely a great way to appreciate the Bhutanese love for their culture and tradition. Yes, they all seem so content and blissful. And all those colors were just incredible.
Hello M & K, Love this post! The photos look so exotic. It transport me into a different world! Bhutan and its people look so amazing and special. I look forward to see more of your post.
Heys Kirs, glad we were able to transport you. Yes, the people were truly amazing and special. Stay tune for the next post:)
Amazing photos, so colorful…
Muza-chan recently posted..Food-serving Karakuri doll
Thank you, Muza-chan.
I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures. Thimphu has no traffic lights? Sounds wonderful!
Joanne Joseph recently posted..Picture of the day ~ Red Leaves
Hi Joanne, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos. Yes, no traffic lights and its wonderful!
Wow, these photos are amazing – what a fascinating country! I love all the colours and patterns. Really enjoyed all the little insights too, like the lack of traffic lights, they really bring the photos to life. I think Bhutan is going to have to go on the list…!
Jenny recently posted..What if it’s all for nothing?
Hi Jenny, it’s really worth to be on your list. It truly is a fascinating, colorful country. Glad you enjoyed the post.
WOW your photos blew me away!!!
Jackie recently posted..Ultimate Road Trip – Northbound Recap
Hi Jackie, thanks! I’m pleased you enjoyed them.
This was a delightful gift you received for your anniversary, thanks to your timing (there are no accidents!) and your guide.
Your photos are absolutely stunning. I love the colorful costumes and how invested everyone was. Truly a beautiful experience, even from your photos. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be right there.
Blessings, peace and happiness to you too, Marisol & Keith!
Marcia recently posted..Gizzada (Coconut Pastry)
Hi Marcia, It truly was a delightful gift. We felt so blessed. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. The locals with their colorful costumes were indeed wonderful sights to behold.
How impressive to see local Bhutanese wearing traditional dresses. It seems like they do this not just during festivals but truly it a part of their daily lives – something we don’t see in other heavily westernized societies of Asia.
Dennis recently posted..Kenai Fjords National Park
HI Dennis, yes they do wear their traditional dresses as part of their daily lives – to school, to work, to festivals, etc. Although they do wear western clothes from time to time when its appropriate.
Your photos have captured the colorful, vibrant and exciting Dromchoe Festival.
Rachel M recently posted..North Horr – Desert Oasis
Thank Rachel.
Your photos are beautiful and I love all the detail you share. I certainly didn’t expect to see the stilettos under traditional dress. I love all of the color, not only in the festival, but in the city.
I had no idea that there was a city anywhere that lacked a traffic light.
Tonya recently posted..Talking a Walk at Gorman Nature Center
Hi Tonya, thanks! Glad you enjoyed the photos and all the colors. The stilettos also surprised us! We thought it was a great depiction of the blend of modernity and tradition that exemplifies Thimphu.
You’ve got to love a culture that works on keeping things personal. I can’t imagine how the Butanese people would find the western world.
Your photos are fantastic; I almost feel like I’m there with you.
It looks a bit chilly in one of your photos. How were the temperatures when you were there?
Leigh recently posted..Cycling the Banff Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff
Hi Leigh, it truly is an endearing culture. They’ll probably find western world way too impersonal and chaotic. I’m pleased you enjoyed the photos. We had a very comfortable fall weather almost the whole time. I think the chiily picture you were referring was the one in Buddha Point. It was very windy up there so we had to bundle up a bit.
Quite an event, Marisol! Very colorful! I love to look at the people faces, so your pictures of a crowd are my favorites here
Street portraits of the kids in the windows are awesome!
Closeups/details shots are nice too!
memographer recently posted..Photo of Back Side of Beautiful Silk Wedding Dress
Hi Alex, thanks! Glad you enjoyed them. It truly was an amazing event. You would have a great feast yourself taking photos of the people.
Surprise festivals are the best kind. I love everyone’s colorful clothes – especially the kids.
Jess recently posted..Robb’s Farm: Apple fritters and Angry Emus
What a beautiful collection of photos. Very special.
Denise recently posted..Goodbye Japan
Thank you Denise. Glad you enjoyed them.
Fantastic photographs! Bhutan seems so diverse and exciting.
Rock on, guys
Marissa | Tiny Pilgrim recently posted..Good Reads
Hello Marissa, thank you!
Love this (as always!). I always enjoy your shots of the locals and who the two of you befriend. What an amazing celebration! Those costumes and native garb are so colorful but I also loved seeing the stilettos underneath the kiras as well as the popularity of phones there. It’s such a beautiful city and I’m glad you were able to see this festival. That fortress looks stunning so I can only imagine how it must look in person. Definitely adding Bhutan to “when the kids grow up places to go”
Mary {The World Is A Book} recently posted..Seeing An Elephant Parade in America
Hi Mary, I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos. We felt so blessed to be in this festival and to observe Bhutanese spritual tradition and their devotion. All their fortresses are truly stunning; it’s hard to capture their magnificence in photo. Bhutan is definitely worth to be on your list of places to see when the kids are bigger.
Bhutan looks like a really interesting place. I love festivals and this one looks like a great one. Love the photos and the colors.
Freya recently posted..Top 5 Photo Spots of St. Peter’s Dome
Bhutan is truly is an interesting place, Freya. If you love festivals, it’s a great place for you to visit.
Wonderful festival, great view the last foto on valley, have a nice day!
Louisette recently posted..Lactarius indigo, azulène mushroom, paddestoel
Hi Louisette, both the festival and the valley are indeed wonderful. You have a nice day, too!
Wonderful pictures! The density of people is impressive. Does it beat NY?:-)
Irene S. Levine recently posted..A Delta in-flight safety video that will make you smile
Thanks Irene. Yes, the density was amazing and it only happens during the festivals. It felt like NY Time Square but without all the chaos:)
ahhhh Bhutan… One day, one day! Your pictures are absolutely breathtaking. Although I must admit, what shocked me the most was how many cell phones I saw throughout this photo essay! 😉
-Maria Alexandra
Maria Alexandra @LatinAbroad recently posted..Oktoberfest History and VIDEO: Travel Bucket List Wednesday
Thank you, Ma. Alexandra! Yes, cell phone is no longer a novelty in even the remotest parts of the world. Everyone one seemed connected.
Beautiful and colorful images of people in festive mood.
Rajesh recently posted..Poetry in Stone – 17
Thanks Rajesh. They’re very vibrant indeed!
What a beautiful place! I absolutely love the colorful clothing and those children are just adorable. Great job capturing the city!
Erica recently posted..Home in Khon Kaen
Thanks Erica. Glad you enjoyed it.
It was so serendipitous that this festival fell during your visit. I think that being able to observe an important local event certainly gives you a better window into the culture. I love the photos of the spinning masked monks doing their sacred dance and the colorful sea of people in the photo from the stairwell.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..The Sunshine Award
Hi Michelle, we really felt bless to experience more festivals than we expected. They’re truly gave us a great glimpse of their culture and spirituality.
These photos are absolutely beautiful! Bhutan is such a pretty place, and the people wear such colorful clothing.
EverywhereAmy recently posted..Photo Adventure – Being Seduced by Montreal
Thanks Amy! Bhutan is so picturesque it’s hard not to take pretty photos of it.
Your pictures are blowing me away! I love all of the people pics and I love all of the vibrant colors of the ghos and kiras. When I make it to Bhutan one of these days, I will definitely be leaving with a kira. I also really like the image of the officer directing traffic. It almost looks surreal. Looking forward to more of your Bhutan posts.
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted..Review: Bluffer’s Guide to Insider Hollywood
Thanks Dana! One thing I regret was not buying myself a kira. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
this is a photographers dream trip with all the costumes, colors and performances….very envious!
Hi Noel, you and your camera will have a blast in Bhutan. I hope you head there soon. I’d love to see all the lovely images you will come up with.