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06 Nights/07 Days
The DochulaDrukWangyel Festival will take place every year on December 13 at the DrukWangyelLhakhang’s Festival ground. The inaugural performance will be held on December 13, 2011. The venue is related to important national landmarks while the date commemorates the commencement of the military expedition of 2003.
The DochulaDrukWangyel Festival’s venue features two of very impressive modern Bhutanese monuments. Including the works on the powerful mural paintings, the temple took almost four years to build. The temple was built under the personal supervision of Her Majesty AshiDorji Wangmo Wanghuck, a year after she built the 108 DrukWangyelChortens. DrukWangyelLhakhang was consecrated in June, 2008.
Following Bhutanese tradition, the DochulaDrukWangyel Festival is named after its location. The Dochula pass is one of the most spectacular passes in Bhutan and is about 45 minutes drive (22km) from the capital city, Thimphu. The performance ground of DochulaDrukWangyel Festival straddles the famous pass at the heart of the Royal Botanical Park, 3,116 meters above sea level. The pass marks the watershed between the districts of Thimphu on the western side and Punakha on the eastern side. It presents a panoramic view of these districts and some others beyond them.
In addition to stunning vistas, the surrounding area of the festival ground features an impressive range of vegetation. Its northern flank consists of a rising spur of hemlock and rhododendron forest, while blue pine and oak forest covers the passes western slope that drops gradually towards the Semtokha valley. Humid evergreen, broad-leaved forest grows on the eastern slope of the pass which too descends rapidly towards the Wangdue and Punakha valleys. The area that will serve as the festival ground was originally a naturally occurring alpine meadow scattered with juniper, oak, pine and rhododendron trees. In the summer of 2010, the meadow was cleared, leveled and slightly expanded to prepare the Tshechu venue.
Excluding the spurs on either side overlooking the ground where spectators can sit, the area of the festival ground measures 55 by 45 metres, encompassing a total of 2,475 square metres. The area of the festival ground is slightly larger than the courtyard of Tashichhodzong, which measures roughly 42 by 42 metres or an area of 1,764 metres. The ThimphuDrupchhoe and Tshechu have been performed for hundreds of years in this courtyard before it was shifted to the present stadium style venue at Tendrelthang. Dochula’s sitting capacity is calculated to be around 4000 people when they are seated cross-legged in a compact manner. This estimate of sitting capacity of the venue excludes the theatrical performance ground of 60 feet radius.
The circular performing stage of the DochulaDrukWangyel Festival gently slopes up towards the centre to form a mound. The centre rises five feet higher than its periphery. The concept of the ground deviates from that of an amphitheatre where the audiences sit at a level much higher than the performers. In an amphitheatre, the angle of visions slants downward to the stage. The shape of the DochulaDrukWangyel Festival ground is exactly the opposite. This unusual stage was shaped in that way so that the spectators angle of vision will be upward towards the centre stage.The optical illusion created will enhance the theatrical experience because the performers will loom larger than life.
As the performers come out onto the centre stage, it will appear to the audience as if they are emerging from behind a hill, head first, like an approaching ship rising from an oceanic horizon. The performers will then loom larger and larger on the raised mound as they come into full view against the distant view of some of Bhutan’s highest mountain peaks of JigmeSingyeWangchuck Mountain Range, which are in turn set against the wintry blue sky. The ultimate effect that is expected to be created by this visual play is a heavenly sight of the performers as they leap, dance and hover on the crest of the snowy mountains, thus exploiting the full grandeur of Dochula’s scenic setting.
Amenities and Expected Weather Condition at the Festival Ground
The five yearly average temperatures in mid December at Dochula is about 5 with the maximum of 8 and minimum of 2. The average temperature at Dochula during the time of the festival in mid December usually hovers around 6 during the day and a few degrees lower at night. Temperature at night can often reach freezing point. Though the sun is quite strong, the wind can make the day chilly. Even then, a naturally occurring carpet of dry, high altitude grass lawn will warm the audience. However, the audiences are strongly advised to take measures against cold by way of warm clothing and bringing along mats and throws. They are also advised to wear sun hats. Although there is a cafeteria nearby, bringing along pack lunches and refreshments are advised to enjoy the outing.
There are no permanent structures at the festival site. Even electrical lines to support the sound system, and toilets and water tap stands will be shrouded out of sight behind thickets. Toilets and water taps will be located near the festival ground. Two intricately embroidered tents will be erected at the DochulaDrukWangyel Festival ground. An orange tent, called the Royal Pavilion, and a deep blue tent for the performers will be pitched. The latter in blue colour, merging into the tone of the distant mountains and the sky, will serve as the entrance and exit of the performers to and from the stage.
No special transportation arrangements will be made for the public. The space near the 108 KhangzangChortens and the broader parts of the highway can be used for parking any personal automobile transports by which people come to the festival.
It is a beautiful place to view the Himalaya mountain range.
DETAILS ITINERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN PARO TO THIMPHU.
On your arrival you will be received by Guide from Bhutan Dendrobium Tour and Trek(BDTT). And then visit ParoDzong (also known as Rinpungdzong is the venue for the annual ParoTsechu festival held every spring). VisitNational Museum(known as Ta Dzong since it has been turned into National Museum, was the watch tower of ParoDzong in 17thcentury).Lunch in Paro town and then transfer to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. On reaching Thimphu check in hotel. Towards the evening visitTashichhodzong (the fortress of the glorious religion,houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, the main secretariat building and the central monk body).Overnight at THIMPHU
DAY 02: THIMPHU DOCHULA WITNESS FESTIVAL
Breakfast in hotel and then transfer to Dochula to witness Drukwangyel festival,(The DochulaDrukWangyel Festival’s venue features two of very impressive modern Bhutanese monuments. Including the works on the powerful mural paintings, the temple took almost four years to build. The temple was built under the personal supervision of Her Majesty AshiDorji Wangmo Wanghuck, a year after she built the 108 DrukWangyelChortens. DrukWangyelLhakhang was consecrated in June, 2008).Overnight at DOCHULA
DAY 03: DOCHULA TO PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING – WANGDI PHODRANG
Breakfast in Hotel and transfer to Punakha is about 2 hours fromDochula,one can have a magnificent view of Eastern Himalayas on the clear weather from the pass. Further down hill drive from the pass will take you to the warm and humid valley. Lunch in Town and after lunch VisitPunakhadzong(majestically located at the junction of the two rivers Pho chu and Mo chu, meaning male and female river, it was built in 1637AD, and was the capital of Bhutan since 1955 AD). And then drive to Wangdi. On the way Hike to chimmilhakhang(the monastery of fertility).And transfer to Wangdiphodrang. And visit WangdiPhodrangdzong (built in 1638 AD by the great Zhabdrung, who unified Bhutan in 17thcentury)overnight at WANGDI PHODRANG
DAY 04: WANGDIPHODRANG- THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast in hotel and transfer to Thimphu.On reaching Thimphu visit Memorial Chorten(the stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the late his majesty the king Jig me Dorji Wang chuck),Painting School (Commonly known as the Painting School, the Institute offers you a glimpse of novices learning 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.). And then visit KuenselPhodrang (is one of the largest statue in Bhutan, from this point we can view beautiful scene of the Capital City (Thimphu).Visit National Library (The National Library was established in the late 1960s primarily to conserve the literary treasures which form a significant part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage).Lunch in Town and after lunch visit ChangangkhaLhakhang, (the drukpakagyu monastery on the hill top of Thimphu town). Overnight at THIMPHU
DAY 05:THIMPHU – PARO SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast in Hotel and transfer to Paro is about 1 hours drive from Thimphu (capital city of Bhutan). On reaching Paro visit NishiokaChorten,(the stupa built in memory of late DashoNishioka, a Japanese citizen who had served in the service of agriculture for 28 years in Bhutan),on the way stop at the Bondey village for the view of Paddy field(TANADA). Lunch in Town and after lunch visit Dumtselhakhang (The unusual and circular lhakhang, reminiscent of the Shana, or the black hat worn by the Bhutanese Black Hat dancers was built by the great Builder of iron chain bridges,DrupthobThangtongGyalpo.).Overnight at PARO
DAY 06: TAKTSANG MONASTREY HIKE
Breakfast in hotel and drive till the hiking point to Taktshangmonastery (the monastery perched on the side of a cliff at a height of 900 meters above the Paro valley), round trip hike to Taktshang monastery which is about 3-4 hours from the car point. Lunch at the cafeteria (view point).After lunch sightseeing of Drugyeldzong (the fortress in ruins built in commemoration over Tibetan invasion in 17thcentury).After that visit SangchenchokorMonstery in paro. (It takes 50minutes drive from Paro town. From there we can see the beautiful view of the Paro town).Towards evening stroll in and around the town for last shopping in Bhutan. Overnight at PARO.
DAY O7: DEPARTURE
After breakfast drive towards Airport, you will be see off by your guide and driver from Bhutan Dendrobium Tour and Trek.