Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival Tour (Bumthang) - 10 Days

Bhutan is a land of cultures and rituals. It connects tourists with the Himalayan lifestyle and local traditions. The Jambay Drup Festival tour is a perfect opportunity to witness what Bhutan has to offer. From being part of traditions like Tercham and the midnight fire blessing ceremony, to being part of ancient monasteries, the trip will provide you with some of the most unforgettable memories. 

This journey will be ideal for learning about genuine Bhutan. You will learn about its rich spiritual heritage and its rich cultural diversity.  Every moment spent in Bhutan will be unique, from touring some of the country's most stunning valleys to learning about various historic monasteries.

Highlights

Witness Masked Dance: 

Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival comes with the main attraction as the performance of Masked Dance. These dances are traditionally performed by monks. It is also called Cham Dance. The monks wear very beautiful attire and dance. It is a celebratory dance representing the victory of good over evil. 

Each step of the dance represents a combination of spirituality as well as art. Not only will you enjoy the entertaining performance, but also as a way of seeking blessings. The dances act as the purpose of purifying the environment from negative energy.

Take part in the Midnight Mystical Fire Blessing Ceremony: 

 The Jambay Festival is known for its Midnight  Fire Blessing Ceremony. This ceremony is also known as Mewang. The festival is celebrated at night in the Bumthang Valley. All the villagers gather together and light the butter lamps, then they chant. This ceremony helps to purify sins and misfortune. You'll be able to experience a rare spiritual experience that will help you to understand the cultures of Bhutan.

Meditate in the Peaceful Surroundings of Bhumthang:

You will have your wellness session by meditating in the peaceful and calm shrines of Bumthang. You will also join the meditation sessions, which are guided by experienced monks. These will allow you to be in touch with your inner self. You will find the spiritual grounding and learn about Bhutanese Buddhist practices. It will make you vibrant again in your heart and soul.

Exploring Beautiful Valleys of Bhumthang:

 While in Bhumthang, you will go to the two fascinating valleys (Ura and Tang Valley). These are also the two valleys that host some of the most attractive villages, ancient monasteries, and untouched woods. The village of Ura is a gallery of traditional Bhutanese houses. On the other hand, if you go to the Tang Valley, you will step back in time to observe what Bhutanese life was like back in the day. Tang Valley has the famous historic palaces and well-equipped museums. Both these valleys help in understanding Bhutanese culture and way of life.

Visiting ancient monasteries of Bhutan:

Bhutan is a land of beautiful monasteries. These sacred monasteries are known for their spiritual importance. During your tour, you will visit many monasteries and a Dzong.  Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries of Bhutan, is where you will celebrate the festival. All the monasteries in Bhutan will help you learn about Bhutan’s heritage and artistry.

partake in the traditional rituals of Bhutan:

During your festival tour in Bhutan, you'll be able to engage in different traditional rituals. The meaningful rituals include blessing sessions and prayer sessions. You can participate in lighting water lamps and making essence offerings. This unique experience helps you to learn about different ways of expressing devotion. You'll be able to learn about the significance of each ritual.

The Origin and Significance :

Jambay Drup Festival is celebrated at Jambay Lhakhang Monastery. It is among the nation's oldest monasteries. 

For many days, monks and people come together and perform the Cham masked dances in favor of peace, happiness, and prosperity. These dances do not have only the function of the performance; they also represent events of a long time ago and are aimed at spreading the blessings. It is an excellent occasion for the people to get together and rejoice over their strong faith, their culture, and the spiritual tradition they have.

What Makes This Festival Unique from Other Tshechus?

Jambay Lhakhang Drup is different from any kind of festival in Bhutan. The festival is full of rare and magical rituals. Ceremonies like the midnight fire ceremony make it unique. During this ceremony, the local villagers run through a large fire to cleanse negative energy and seek blessings. These rituals happen at night. Another rare ritual celebrated during the Jambay Lhakhang Drup is Tercham. It is also known as the naked dance, which is performed by monks. These dances are performed to protect the valley from any evil. This kind of spiritual ceremony is not seen at most other tshechus. Due to this, the festival is different, unique, and meaningful.

packing tips

During your Jambay Festival trip, you will need to pack some warm clothing. Bhumthang is a cooler area, so you'll require warm clothing. Similarly, you'll also need to bring modest attire. The clothing should be suitable for you to visit temples and monasteries. You need respectful attire to attend religious rituals. Long sleeves, full-length pants or skirts, and a jacket are recommended attire for you. As you will be travelling to different places, comfortable shoes are an essential part of the tour. Similarly, you need to carry a reusable water bottle.

Festival Etiquette

 During the festival, you need to be respectful regarding the traditions and culture of Bhutan. You need to be quiet and avoid pointing or stepping over sacred objects. Similarly, you shall ask for permission before taking photos of people or ceremonies.

Conclusion

The Jambay Lakhang Drup festival is a journey that significantly connects with the ancient heritage, culture, and rituals of Bhutan, which is a perfect time to participate in the land of the dragon. Getting to know living traditions through the various activities that encompass the festival period, the trip is designed in such a way that one can really learn and appreciate the real essence of Bhutan. This will include the visits to the monasteries, which are centuries old, the temples, and the museums. Similarly, one will get the chance to know about the natural beauty of Bhutan on the 10th day of the festival tour.

About the festival

Day 1: Opening the Festival – Visiting Monasteries and Cham Dances with Masks

The beginning of the festival is marked by the performance of religious rituals. The monks of the highest order conduct the blessing ceremony at Jambay Lhakhang. It is one of the most ancient temples in Bhutan.  The first set of masked dances (Cham) is played. These traditional dances tell the story of good over evil and protect the community. People can watch the ceremonies and simply enjoy the vibrant joy of the festival's first day.

Day 2: Feasts, Folk Music, and Local Celebrations

The next day consists of some more colorful masked dances, storytelling shows, and folk songs. The whole courtyard is filled with the beautiful locals who proudly carry their traditional attire. One of the dances shown today is the one that illustrates the image of gods, demons, and animals to the audience. All these dances are performed as symbolic acts of their respective deities. Tourists can participate in food sampling, watch local games, and interact with the welcoming locals of the village, thus getting to know Bhutan’s culture firsthand.

Day 3: midnight fire ceremony

This day is an important day of the festival. The locals gather around at midnight and start a bonfire. This is done to protect the community. The locals circle the fire and seek blessings, and pray for good fortune.

Day 4: Tercham (Naked Dance) and Final Blessings

On the last day, selected masked dancers portray the Tercham. It is also called the naked dance, done late at night. It is the most powerful and effective way of protecting the valley and chasing away all negative sources of energy. This dance symbolizes the inseparability of the natural world from the human world. There will be no more dances and offerings conducted throughout the day, except a few other religious dances, and with the final blessings for peace, prosperity, and protection, the festival will be closed.