Ura Yakchoe Festival

Ura Yakchoe is a beautiful summer festival conducted in the valley of Ura at Bumthang. Yakchoe literally means "yak offering." The festival likely had animistic origins before it was transformed into a Buddhist ceremony. Even today, archaic rituals are performed during the festival by a priest dressed as a Bonpo to invoke the cattle god.

The Ura Yakchoe Festival is an interesting event to witness, showcasing Bhutan’s effort to preserve its culture alongside modernity. The festival begins with a long procession from Gaden, the seat of Ura’s local lama, to Ura. The procession passes through meadows and brooks, providing a magnificent backdrop to the event. Upon arrival in the Ura valley, the festival starts with rituals of exorcism, followed by dozens of sacred dances imbued with deep spiritual wisdom, folk dances, and continues for five days.