Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Paro Tsechu

A symbolic touch of the Thanka is an holy celebration in Lama Buddhism. The civic male visitors wear a white/beige scarf with fringes around the left shoulder, that it covers the heart. A red scarf without fringes is worn by a Dasho. This title means 'the best'. It is not hereditary but is conferred by the King on people of his choice as a reward for service. A dark blue scarf shows that a person is a Representative of the People, elected by the Royal Advisory Council. An orange scarf without fringes is worn by Vice-Ministers; Ministers wear the same scarf, but with part of it folded on the left shoulder. The temple and monastery servants wear a plait scarf. Only the King and the highest dignitary wear a golden or saffron/yellow scarf, as does the Je Khenpo, the Head Abbot of the country.

The sacrificial offering with butter lamps is a similar meaning like the donation of candles in the christian church.

The Lamas (priests) enter the yard playing the Nga (drum), the Kangling (trumpet), the Gyaling (oboe) and the Rolmo (cymbals).

A scene out of the performance during the Paro festival called Paro Tsechu. The red deers symbolize the savers of the humanity.

This Thanka, the Thongdrol, is the second largest Thanka on the world, (the largest is in Lahsa/Tibet and is enrolled in Aug. every year at the Sera monasterry Lhasa). The people enroll it during nighttime only due a very high sensibility that the sunlight will destroy the nice color. Visitors at the Tshechu Paro have to get up very early at nighttime to see the Thanka, which is enrolled once a year.

On the last day of Tsechu, rise before dawn to attend the display of the great Thongdrol. An intricately appliqued and embroidered silk scroll measuring 12,20 x 18,30 meter. This work of art pictures the eight manisfestations of Guru Rinpoche, the Second Buddha and the founder of Tantric Buddhism. Thangkas such as this one are regarded as great treasures and are displayed only once a year for a few hours. It is believed that the mere sight of the Thongdrol brings salvation to the beholder. The festival area fills with people from all over the country well before dawn. People offer butter lamps and receive Thongdrol blessings. Monks dance cheerfully beating on double-sided drums with curved drumsticks. The Thongdrol is then let down to the ground and ceremoniously rolled and folded away before the first rays of the sun can reach it. Following the display of the Thongdrol, the Tsechu continues throughout the day with the performances of several additional dances.

At the Paro Festival, a large and beautifully appliquéd Thanka scroll known as a Tongdrol is exhibited for a few hours, at day break of the final day of the festival, enabling the people to obtain its blessing, as this holy scroll confers liberation by the mere sight of it (Tongdrol in Bhutanese).

Monks from everywhere in Bhutan come to the Tsechu festival and enjoy watching the performances.

The kira is the national dress for women in Bhutan. It is an ankle-length dress known as the kira which is clipped at the shoulder and tied at the waist. An accompaniment to the kira is a long-sleeved blouse which is worn underneath. Social status and class is determined by the texture, bright colours, and decorations embellishing the garments