Season: March - April

Location: Talo Goenpa, Punakha

Situated at an altitude of 2,800m, picturesque & charming Talo village holds its annual festival at Talo Sangnacholing Dzong which is built on a small plateau with majestic view of Punakha valley, adjoining villages and surrounding hills. Talo village is particularly known for its cleanliness and hygiene standard and encompass traditional houses scattered along the ridge with every house maintaining a beautiful flower garden.

Talo festival has been held annually for more than 300 years and is an occasion for villagers and families to come together as a community to uphold traditional values and celebrate togetherness.

The three-day Talo Tshechu is well known for its mask dances and the atsara (clown) dances. Also, an equally popular attraction with deep religious and historical significance is the Zhungdra (classical dance) by the Talo dance troupe. The three songs of Mani Sum, which comprise the Zhundra set, are performed as the closing item on each day of the three days of the Tshechu. The three Songs Samyi Sala (on Day 1), Drukpa Dungey (on Day 2) and Thowachi Gangi Tselay on Day 3, are the heritage of pride for the Talo community. These songs are passed down from one generation to other without the slightest change in tune and lyrics and close to the heart of Talops (people of Talo village) because it is like a priceless inheritance and has been blessed by many great Lamas. A unique feature of Talo Zhungdra is that only Talops are allowed to learn the songs and also if not performed property, it is said to bring misfortune in the form of natural calamities or outbreak of diseases.