Buddhist Festival

In the 17th century, Bhutan faced multiple incursions by Tibetan forces who sought a highly prized relic, the Ranjung Kharsapani. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the leader of Bhutan, successfully repelled the Tibetan invaders, and in commemoration of this victory, he instituted the Punakha Drubchen festival. Consequently, Punakha Drubchen has since become an annual celebration in Punakha Dzongkhag.

The Chhorten Kora festival takes place in Trashi Yangste, the easternmost district of Bhutan. Chorten Kora, a stupa modeled after Nepal's Boudhanath, is located a two-hour drive away from Trashigang. In February or March, this stupa becomes a focal point for both local residents and the Dakpa people from Arunachal Pradesh, India. They assemble for a festival centered around circumambulating the chorten.