Season: February - March

Location: Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey valley, Bumthang

Tharpaling Thongdrol is a one-day festival and is mainly a display of giant thangka or thongdrol (applique silk work with Buddhist images) of Jowo Jampa and Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam which are displayed every year. The Thongdrol is preceded by prayer ceremonies called the Moelam Chenmo which is performed by the monks of Tharpaling temple for 10 days. No cham (dances) are performed during the entire festival.  

‘Tharpaling’ or the place of liberation is perched on a slope overlooking the Chumey valley in Bumthang. The main relic of the lhakhang is the remains of Lama Yonten Jamtsho who established this temple. The architecture of the lhakhang is also unique and this four-storey temple resembles a tower and has only one small window.  Tharpaling temple is located about an hour’s drive from Chumey valley through a dirt road which winds up from the village of Gaytsa.