Gangtey Tshechu

The Gangtey Tshechu Festival is held in the large courtyard of Gangtey (Ganteng) Goenpa monastery, which is located on the hillock overlooking Phobjikha valley. The three-day annual festival includes sacred mask dances (some unique to Gangtey) and folk singing dances, and it is concluded by Nguedup Langwa, a spiritual blessing for wisdom and power. The valley is the winter roosting ground of the migratory and rare black-necked cranes. On the final day of the festival, the Thongdrol, or giant Thangka, is unfurled.