The Paro Tsechu (Festival), held annually in the picturesque town of Paro, is a cornerstone of Bhutanese culture and spirituality.

Established in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a Tibetan Buddhist master, and the unifier of Bhutan, the festival pays tribute to Guru Rinpoche, the venerated sage who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.

The festival unfolds over five days, each filled with unique events. The celebrations commence with the NangCham, held inside the courtyard of the Rinpung Dzong, where the most sacred of treasures - the Cymbal revealed from the Nub Tsho Na Patra lake - is used for mask dances and kept on display for people to receive its blessings. Over the next days, monks and laymen perform a series of mask dances, each with its own spiritual significance. Folk songs and dances are performed between the mask dances.

On the final day, a large Thongdrel (silk applique) depicting Guru Rinpoche is unfurled, a ceremony considered one of the most sacred of the Tshechu.

The festival serves as a vibrant tapestry of Bhutanese history, recounting the life and spiritual conquests of Guru Rinpoche through elaborate dances and dramatizations. It brings together Bhutanese and Foreigniers from all walks of life, making it a significant event in the local community. It is also one of the most widely attended Tshechu in the entire country.