𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐲𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐰𝐨𝐠

…𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒚𝑺𝒂𝒌𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚

By Tashi Tshewang

The Annual Dham (Nye) Puja of Sektena Chiwog was observed in Sektena from January 14 to 15, coinciding with the celebration of MagaySakrati, the Hindu New Year. The two-day religious event brought together devotees from Dumtoe and Denchukha gewogs under Samtse Dzongkhag, along with residents of Sektena Chiwog, to offer prayers for the well-being of His Majesty the King, the country, and all sentient beings.

The spiritually significant gathering, marked by sacred rituals and cultural performances, highlighted the community’s deep-rooted faith and its commitment to preserving religious and cultural traditions. Devotees participated in rituals led by religious practitioners, with offerings and prayers symbolizing hopes for peace, prosperity, and harmony in the year ahead. The event also featured traditional dances performed by the people of Sektena Chiwog, alongside Dzongkha dances presented by gewog performers, adding cultural vibrancy and enhancing the communal atmosphere.

Held on the auspicious occasion of MagaySakrati, the Puja carried added spiritual significance, serving as a moment of reflection, renewal, and collective prayer. Beyond its religious importance, the gathering reflected strong social cohesion and inter-gewog participation, demonstrating how such traditional observances strengthen cultural identity, foster unity, and reinforce shared values in Samtse Dzongkhag.

Gakiling Gup Wang Tshering said, “The venue we had initially identified for the preparations, the Puja, cultural performances, and the stalls turned out to be very inconvenient and unsuitable for such a large gathering. We realized that if we continued with the old site, it would have caused discomfort for the participants, limited the performances, and made it very difficult for visitors and devotees to move around. That is why the Gewog took the initiative to construct an approach road and develop a proper ground. Now, people can easily access the site, the performers have enough space, and the entire programme can be conducted smoothly. Even though the village is remote and there are many logistical challenges, the new arrangements have made the event more organized, safe, and welcoming for everyone attending.”

He explained that the Gewog also worked to make the event more engaging and meaningful. “Gewog dancers were arranged to perform traditional cultural dances, which added color and vibrancy to the celebration while also encouraging cultural exchange. The public was educated on the importance of taking ownership of the Nye and actively participating in the preparation, coordination, and conduct of the programme. Volunteers contributed through donations, helping cover costs for the arrangements. Despite having limited budget for performers and logistical challenges such as transportation over the 65km distance to the village, the collective effort of the community ensured a successful celebration. We hope that, in the coming years, the event could be expanded to include more performances and activities, making it even more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone.”

He added, “We are extremely grateful for the support of the villagers and participants. Without their cooperation, enthusiasm, and dedication, this celebration would not have been possible. Everyone pitched in, whether by helping with arrangements, performing in the dances, hosting visitors, or contributing donations. The road construction has made access much easier, and while there is still much to improve in terms of infrastructure, we are committed to building on this success and making future celebrations even bigger, better, and more inclusive for all.”

Vaskar Chapagai, Denchukha Gup, shared, “The Annual Dham (Nye) Puja is one of the most important events for our community, and it allows us to come together to offer prayers for the well-being of His Majesty the King, our country, and all sentient beings. This two-day celebration during MagaySakrati not only strengthens our faith but also reinforces the bonds within and across our communities, bringing together devotees from Sektena, Dumtoe, and Denchukha gewogs in a shared spiritual experience.”

He explained that the observance is more than a religious ritual. “It serves as a platform for cultural expression, social interaction, and collective reflection. The gathering features sacred rituals led by religious practitioners, offerings and prayers symbolizing hopes for peace and prosperity, and traditional dances performed by the people of Sektena Chiwog, alongside Dzongkha dances presented by gewog performers. Such activities foster unity, maintain cultural continuity, and strengthen the communal ties that define the social fabric of the area. The event is also a moment of reflection and renewal, emphasizing shared values and reinforcing the deep-rooted faith that the community has preserved for generations.”

He added, “Participating in this Puja allows one to experience the pride, devotion, and harmony of our community. From performing rituals to engaging in cultural performances and hosting visitors, everyone plays a part. It is a celebration that connects faith, tradition, and social cohesion, ensuring that our customs and values continue to thrive for future generations.”

Nima Tshering from Sertena explained, “This Puja, or Nye, has been celebrated in our area for generations. Long ago, people from the southern part of Bhutan, known as Losampa, used to follow and celebrate this festival. Over time, it has become our annual ritual, and even today, we continue to perform the ceremonies and offer prayers to ensure the well-being of the community and preserve our cultural heritage.”

He noted that while the festival has deep cultural and spiritual significance, the village faces challenges in accommodating visitors due to limited infrastructure. “In the past, access was difficult as there were no proper roads or electricity. Although the village is now connected with roads, electricity, homestays, and small shops, these facilities are still small and insufficient for the growing number of visitors. Each year, between 200 to 300 people come from Samtse, and additional people stay in nearby Sertena, putting a strain on the available resources. Further improvements are needed to ensure that both villagers and visitors can fully participate in and enjoy the festival.”

He added, “Despite these challenges, participating in the Puja brings a sense of pride and joy to the community. Everyone contributes, whether by performing rituals, organizing cultural dances, or hosting guests. The festival is a living tradition that strengthens our community bonds, promotes unity, and ensures that our customs and values are passed on to future generations.”

Lal Bdr, a devotee from Samtse, said, “The Annual Dham (Nye) Puja is a time when we can come together as a community to pray for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of all. It is not just a religious observance; it is a moment that reminds us of our shared values and the importance of maintaining our traditions across generations.”
He explained that the gathering brings people from different gewogs, including Sektena, Dumtoe, and Denchukha, closer together. “It is a space for cultural exchange, reflection, and social cohesion. The rituals, offerings, and traditional dances performed during the event serve as a symbol of unity and collective responsibility. Beyond spiritual significance, the Puja reinforces the sense of identity, belonging, and mutual respect among participants, highlighting the enduring strength of community bonds.”

He added, “Every year, participating in the Puja fills us with pride and a deep sense of connection. Performing rituals and joining in cultural dances, to helping with preparations, everyone plays a role. It is a celebration of faith, culture, and togetherness, ensuring that our customs and community spirit continue to thrive for future generations.”