Nabji Lhakhang Drup
A festival at Nabji village temple in central Bhutan, featuring a fire-blessing ceremony and a sacred night-time naked dance.
About the Festival
Nabji Lhakhang Drup is held at the temple in Nabji village, an idyllic community surrounded by verdant paddy fields in Trongsa district, central Bhutan. It honors Guru Padmasambhava and commemorates the establishment of the Nabji temple, connecting to the broader Buddhist heritage of Bhutan.
Cultural Significance
The festival centers on two ceremonies: Mewang, a fire-blessing ceremony, and Tercham, a sacred naked dance performed at night around a bonfire by masked dancers, believed to bless infertile women with children. The festival also features mask dances and folk performances related to Pema Lingpa, a revered treasure discoverer. Nabji participates in community-based tourism alongside the nearby village of Korphu, reached by trekking from Reotala.