The Traditional Day of Offering, known locally as 'Duenpa Losar', is a unique cultural event celebrated in Bhutan. It is observed on the 1st day of the 12th month of the Bhutanese calendar, typically falling in late January or early February in the Gregorian calendar. The holiday serves as a tribute to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, and it is a time for locals to reflect on their spiritual journey and show gratitude towards deities for the well-being of their families and communities.
This spiritual holiday involves a series of ceremonial rituals carried out by monks and community leaders, which include offering of food, making butter lamp lightings, and performing traditional dances. Known as 'tsechus', these dances are highly symbolic and serve both as a form of religious education, telling the tales of Buddhist saints, and as a form of worship itself. The colorful masks worn during these dances represent different deities, and variations in dance steps and rhythms supposedly reflect the mood and character of these divine beings.
Moreover, the Traditional Day of Offering carries a significant social aspect too. Families gather together during this time for communal feasts and celebrations. It is also a day to pray for family and friends who have passed away in the previous year, offering them spiritual guidance for their journey into the next life. While this holiday remains largely unknown to the outside world, it deeply reflects Bhutanese cultural and religious identity, highlighting the country’s strong commitment to the preservation of its unique traditions and spiritual heritage.