Festivals are religious events. The ground where they are held is sanctified by high spiritual figures (lamas), so when one is watching a religious festival one is, in essence, on the perimeter of an outdoor religious ground. The conduct of an onlooker should therefore be governed with this in mind. The dancers, whether they are monks or laymen, are in a state of meditation. They transform themselves into the deities which they represent on the dance ground. They generate a spiritual power, which cleanses, purifies, enlightens and blesses the spectators.

With this in mind, it should be clear that obtrusive, disrespectful or discourteous behavior is out of place. One should also bear in mind that smoking is not permitted in public places in Bhutan. The dance ground is not a place to eat, drink, talk or laugh loudly at inappropriate times, or flash cameras or intrude on the dance space. Common courtesy should rule one’s action when photographing dances or onlookers.

Festivals are not entertainment or pageant events. Nor are they held just as tourist attractions. They are genuine manifestations of religious traditions passed down from hundreds of years which outsiders are given the privilege of witnessing. We would like to see that privilege retained, without in any way impairing or infringing on the beauty and sacredness of such rituals.

It may also be noted that some past actions of unthinking visitors have caused shock and dismay to the local people. Any recurrence of such unfortunate events may lead to future restrictions on attendance at festivals. We hope that our tour members will always display courtesy, sensitivity and respect to the people of Bhutan who have welcomed them to attend these beautiful and sacred events, and will visibly demonstrate their respect by dressing as well as their circumstances permit on such occasions.

Observance of such religious festival etiquettes is being respectful of a rich and sacred tradition and mutually beneficial.