His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks of the central monastic body are performing the annual Lhamoi Drubchhen ceremony at the Tashichodzong.

The ceremony precedes the popular Drubchen and tshechu festival.

The annual 15 day Lhamoi Drubchhen ceremony, which is being performed in the Dukhang of Tashichhodzong began at 9:30 pm on Monday.

The sacred ceremony is dedicated to the protecting deity Pelden Lhamo.
During the 15 day ceremony, the monks will be performing prayers for about 22 hours everyday with short breaks for meals and rest.

The Drubchhen was instituted between 1705 and 1709 by Kuenga Gyaltshen, the first reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, the son of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

According to legend, Pelden Lhamo appeared before him and performed the dances while he was in meditation. Based on these dances, Kuenga Gyeltshen initiated the Drubchhen.

The Drubchhen concludes on October 8 with Torbuel and Serda ceremony in the early hours of the morning followed by the Lham Tsomo dance, dedicated Pelden Lhamo which will be performed in the courtyard of Tashichhodzong. Source: Kuenselonline