22-23 October - Bumthang Drup aka Jambay Lhakhang Festival

We start with the fire ceremony opening this fairly large festival held at the Jambey (Jampay) Temple in the Bumthang region of central Bhutan.
Then return the next day to watch more singing and dancing, wander through the festival stalls and observe the locals.

Opening procession	Lighting the gate on fire	Running through the burning gate	Fire ceremony opening the Bumthang festival
Fire ceremony opening the Bumthang festival	Fire ceremony opening the Bumthang festival	Monk in a black hat in the ceremony	Opening ceremony
Opening ceremony	Opening ceremony	End of opening ceremony	Night sky
Let the dancing begin!	He represents a monkey.	He represents a monkey.	Monkey meets clown
Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance
Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dancers	Masked dance
Masked dance	Masked dance	Donation booth	Masked dance
Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance
Musician	Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance
Temple roof	Local folk dance	Local folk dance	Local folk dance
Twins	Local folk dance	Local folk dance	Local folk dance
Prayer flags and ravens	Local folk dance	Window	Prayer wheels
Shutters	Prayer wheel	Miniature stupas (made with human ash to gain good karma for the deceased)	Prayer flags and clouds
Souvenirs!	Locals shopping	Souvenir stand	Prayer flags
Watching the dancing	Souvenir stands	Taking a break	Yum, lunch...
Everything you could possibly need...	Testing the cymbals and drums	Vendor	Familiar snacks!
Monks shopping	Young monks shoppping	Vegetable vendor	Local folk dance - they're still going ...
Local folk dance	The crowd	Masked dance	Masked dance
Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance	Masked dance
Masked dance	More of the crowd	Masked dance	How high can you jump?
Tourists in the crowd	Raven	Prayer wheels	Prayer wheel
Chokhor Valley	Lunch break	Playing with a paper bag	Monk watching from a window
Monk watching from a window	Masked dancers with drums	Masked dancers with drums	Masked dancers with drums
Masked dancers with drums	Another crowd shot	Masked dancer with drums	Tourist in the crowd
Masked dancer with drums	Masked dancer with drums	Masked dancer with drums and the VIP tent	Rapt attention
Shy one	Beautiful kira and silk jackets	Buying a solar prayer wheel	Festival
Store sheds near the festival	Fence

JAlbum 7.1