King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan took their two children, Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel and Prince Ugyen Wangchuck, on an important visit this week.
The family visited the Panbang Tshechu in the Zhemgang district in central Bhutan for a religious festival. Tshechu is the name of the festivals where “sacred dances are performed by monks, representing gods and deities … and end with the showing of a giant image (thongdrol) said to cleanse viewers of bad merit,” according to His Majesty’s Office.
This specific festival was started in 1997 when the consecration of the temple was held; the three-day festival brings in over 1,000 people to the area. The final day of the festival, 16 November, is a religious holiday in Bhutan that marks the descending day of Buddha.
Click below for photos from the royals’ visit:
