Bhutan’s Adventure festival facing adventurous future

Bhutan’s Travel adventure is never complete without the festival. Yet, one of the biggest adventure festivals in Kharshong under Lhuentse,Eastern Bhutan is facing an uncertain future. The toured festival is on a crossroads to either continue to be the biggest festival or cease to exist in the future.

 Unlike in the past, some dancers express their refusal to perform during the festival. The people of the area raised concerns not to let the age old tradition fade away. However, in some parts of Lhuentse, people still follow the tradition even though the intensity has fallen low.

A few still make it a point to get up early, put on their finest garments, pack best of food, and go to the venue where the festivals are held.

Rinzinla, 49, from Tangmachhu, says the festival has lost its luster over the years. “We used to poke fun at each other.” He said he missed two years of the festival and could attend only this year. “It is sad to see the state of the festival. The fun is missing.”

Mask dances are also performed during the festival. Varieties of food are served and shared among friends and families. Ha is an event which brings the people of Lhuentse together.

“I feel I can stop attending the festival now,” said Nado from Tangmachhu. He said the quality of the festival is declining by the year. “I am saying, even our women need not attend the festival. Why should they suffer when they could stay at home peacefully?”