Public holidays in Bhutan

[1] Bhutanese holidays are rooted in the Drukpa Lineage of Kagyu Buddhism, the House of Wangchuck and the Tibetan calendar.

[3] Winter solstice celebration in Bhutan known as Nyilo (Dzongkha: ཉི་ལོག, Wylie: nyi log "return of the sun"),[4] is a public holiday.

[8] The day is celebrated with feasting and traditional sports, including archery, digor, and khuru (darts).

[1] Festivities last 15 days, ahead of which people spend much time preparing food and alcohol and cleaning their homes of old and unused objects.

[10][11] In Bhutan, different communities celebrate Losar at slightly different times and refer to the holiday by particular local names.

February 21–23 are holidays commemorating the birth anniversary of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo.

[12] May 2 is the birth anniversary of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who began Bhutan's first steps toward modernization (b.

The day sees students coordinating various programs at schools and institution showing gratitude to their teachers.

The day also constitute cultural programs showcasing various dance and song items focusing on teachers and their contributions.

On this day, Lord Buddha was conceived, born, subdued evil, gained enlightenment and attained Nirvana.

[16] The event is marked by feasting, drinking alcohol, playing traditional sports, and purification through washing.

[19] November 1 marks the coronation day of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th and current Druk Gyalpo (2008).

In the eastern regions of Bhutan, the holiday is a popular occasion for performing Lhasoel, which are religious offerings in the form of ara (traditional wine), blessings, and supplications.

[3] These festivals are centuries-old traditions functioning not only as links to the past but also attract large numbers of tourists.