Jambe Lhakhang Drup

We arrive in the beautiful Bumthang valley in Central Bhutan in time for the Jambe Lhakhang Drup. It's a four-day annual festival, or Tshechu, celebrating the life and work of Guru Rinpoche who is famous for bringing Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. The festival is held in Jambe Lhakhang, an ancient temple founded in the 7th century. We are lucky to visit the temple the day before the festival begins and watch the preparations--from dusting off the dancers' masks, to setting up the frames and tarps for the fairground booths. And just like any other day, elders are circumambulating the temple and spinning the large seven-foot prayer wheels. Excitement already fills the air for what will soon become the host location for throngs of people visiting from villages near and far.