When it happens
Jakar Tshechu is an autumn festival. It is held in October, in some years shifting towards November, and its dates move each year with the Bhutanese lunar calendar.
It is usually described as timed to the tenth-day observances of Guru Rinpoche and as running about four days.
Where it happens
The festival is held at Jakar Dzong, the fortress-monastery that is the administrative centre of Bumthang and houses the district’s monk body. Its full name is Jakar Yugyal Dzong, commonly rendered as “Fortress of the White Bird”.
The dzong (fortress) stands on a ridge above Jakar in the Chamkhar valley. Its 50-metre utse (central tower) is attached to the main eastern wall.
History
According to tradition, a white bird rose and settled on the spur while lamas were deliberating where to build a fort. The bird, said to be the king of geese, is held to have marked the spot as auspicious and given Jakar (“white bird”) its name.
The dzong is attributed to Lam Ngagi Wangchuk (1517–1554), who came to spread the Drukpa Kagyu teachings. It was a fortress of defence for the whole of eastern Bhutan and later a seat of the first king.
Dances and rituals
Monks in colourful brocade perform its masked dances, accompanied by chanting and the reading of Buddhist scriptures, in the courtyard of the dzong.
Being there
Jakar Dzong overlooks Jakar (also called Chamkhar), the district capital, so once you are in central Bumthang the festival needs no separate journey.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup is often described as Bumthang’s other main autumn festival, held a short distance away at Jambay Lhakhang in the Choekhor valley.