Celebrated on 13th December every year, Druk Wangyel Festival is one of the most modern and distinctive cultural celebrations In Bhutan. While traditional Bhutanese festivals are celebrated at monasteries and dzongs, the Druk Wangyel Festival takes place at the scenic Dochula Pass (altitude 3,100m) against the backdrop of Himalayan mountains between Thimphu and Punakha.
Inaugurated in 2011 by Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the festival pays tribute to the courage, bravery, and sacrifices of the Bhutanese armed forces. The festival uniquely blends rich traditional Bhutanese culture with patriotic pride and modern history to promote national unity and peace.
Bhutanese festivals usually feature performances of ancient ritual dances passed down through generations of monks. But at Druk Wangyel Festival – also known as Dochula Festival – mask dances are performed by members of Royal Bhutan Army instead. Soldiers are said to receive three months of mask dance training before the festival.
What also makes this festival unique is its fixed date. Most Bhutanese festivals on the other hand, follow the lunar calendar meaning their dates change every year. Most popular festivals in Bhutan usually fall within the peak tourist season in spring and autumn. Dochula Festival is celebrated in off-peak season in December instead, drawing less tourists.
Highlights of the celebration include intricate masks and elaborate costumes, military-themed performances, dramatic storytelling, and contemporary dance. The breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas make it one of the best festivals to observe in Bhutan during December.
Druk Wangyel festival offers an opportunity to experience the culture of Bhutan in a scenic setup. Some 110 kilometres away from Dochula Pass, Phobjikha Valley serves as the winter home of black-necked cranes. This makes for a perfect reason to include the beautiful valley in the itinerary along with Dochula festival.
Poets And Pilgrims is heading to Bhutan in December to observe the Dochula festival. The 9-day trip also covers Phobjikha Valley, combining the dramatic winter escapade with Dochula festival. Checkout Bhutan – Dochula Masked Dance Edition and join us in December!
