October 06: Thousands of people from Thimphu and the neighbouring areas packed the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong yesterday to witness the Thimphu Domchoe.

The number of people coming to witness the annual Thimphu Domchoe is increasing every year.

Dressed in their expensive hand woven holiday best sesho ghos and kiras, a record number of people from all walks of life gathered at the Tashichhodzong to witness the annual Thimphu Domchoe yesterday.

The courtyard of the Tashichhodzong where the mask dances were performed was packed with people. The crowd was so huge that not all who came could be accommodated inside the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong. Some even had to return home. Those who managed to find space had to jostle for standing room.

The Domchoe is preceded by a 15 day prayer ceremony which is presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.

The highlight of the Domchoe is the Lham Tshom Dance which is performed in honour of Pelden Lhamo, one of the main protective deities of the kingdom.

The Thimphu Lhamoi Domchoe was instituted between 1705 and 1709 by Je Kunega Gyeltshen, the first reincarnation of Jamphel Dorji, the son of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel.

According to legend, Palden Lhamo appeared before him and performed the dance while he was in meditation. Based on it, Kuenga Gyeltshen initiated the Lhamoi Domchoe.

The Domchoe will be followed by the Thimphu Tshechu, which begins on October 9.