Goenpai Drubchen
- Kind
- Drubchen or dromchoe
- Venue
- Trongsa Dzong
- District
- Trongsa
- Region
- Central Bhutan
- Tentative
- Tentative
The tentative festival calendar lists it as Goenpai Drupchen.
When it happens
It lasts three days in late autumn, and its dates can move by several weeks from year to year.
Where it happens
Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong in Bhutan. It stands on a spur above the gorge of the Mangde Chhu, built on many levels that step down the slope of the hill.
The dzong is a monastic seat and the headquarters of the Trongsa district administration. It was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan, and the residence of the line that became Kings of Bhutan from 1907.
Lhamoi Dromchoe in late winter and Trongsa Tshechu at the end of the year are also held here.
Being there
Trongsa is on the main road between Thimphu and Bumthang, with regular buses from major towns. The East-West highway and the Trongsa-Gelephu highway both run through the district.
Taa Dzong, the watchtower above the town, is the usual companion visit for travellers stopping at the dzong. Chogyal Minjur Tenpa, the first governor of Trongsa, built it in 1652 to guard Trongsa Dzong against internal rebellion. It is now the National Museum.