December 13th - 15th 2008
Below is the official itinerary of the Punakha Folk Festival described by the ABTO Secretariat:
Day 1
a) Suja Dresi in the morning after the inaugural ceremony of the Bhutan Folk Festival
b) Lunch (tourists can experience the various cuisines of different Geogs in the Dzongkhag and also be a judge at the traditional food competition)
c) Ara in the evening with the ritual in preparation to the next day’s archery match
Day 2
a) Bangchang after the Marching ceremony for the archery match in the morning
b) Lunch with local families/ family members of the archers
c) Suja/ Ngaja/ Khabzey (Bhutanese style evening tea) after awarding of prizes to the winners of the competitions
d) Ara with traditional songs in the evening after the break
Day 3
a) Suja Dresi during the Jabthrue & Kago performance preceding the carrying of the Holy Scriptures
b) Tea and refreshments along the way at all villages (while carrying the Holy Scriptures along the village route to offer blessings to the villagers)
c) Lunch at Nobgang, served by the Nobgang community (or those accompanying the Holy Scriptures)
d) Tea and refreshments at all different villages on the way back to Punakha Dzong
e) Ara during the Tsang Mo and Tashi Labey ceremony
