23/10/2026
The Paro Festival (Paro Tshechu) is one of Bhutan’s most significant religious and cultural celebrations, held annually in the spring at the Rinpung Dzong in Paro. Honoring Guru Rinpoche, the festival commemorates the birth anniversary of the patron saint of Bhutan who introduced Ta***ic Buddhism to the region in the 8th century.
Attending the sacred rituals is believed to purify negative karma, grant spiritual merit, and protect the community from evil spirits whilst trained monks and laypeople perform vibrant, symbolic masked dances that depict moral stories, triumph over evil, and deep Buddhist teachings.
The Unfurling of the Guru Thongdrel: The festival reaches its climax on the final day with the pre-dawn unveiling of a gigantic silk embroidery scroll (thongdrel) depicting Guru Rinpoche. Simply viewing this sacred scroll is believed to grant liberation.
Paro Festival: Inside Bhutan’s Hidden Kingdom
Sun 14 Mar - Tue, 23 Mar 2027
This ten-day odyssey takes you through a land where time-honoured traditions and breathtaking landscapes converge. From the moment you touch down in Paro Valley, the snowcapped Himalayas and warm Bhutanese welcome set the tone for an unforgettable journey, culminating in this incredible spiritual festival experience.
Photos by Sarah Marshall