Coming to Bhutan in the spring, visitors can indulge themselves in some of the surprises there such as immersing in the extraordinary scene of spring and beholding manifold blooms on the peak mountain range along with migratory birds.
At this time, Rhododendron is in the perfection of beauty that its full glory even can be compared to cherry blossoms in Japan. For one who is a flower lover, this is a time that can not be missed.
During the three-day festival, visitors will surely have an experience of being charmed by the beauty of wild Rhododendron profusely growing in the Royal Botanical Park in Lamperi, roughly 35 km away from the capital Thimphu.
The wild Rhododendron plays an essential role in Bhutanese daily life from being a homemade cure to being used in a traditional remedy. This is the reason why there are manifold Bhutanese songs glorifying this wonderful flower.
To be first held in 2013 at the Lamperi Botanical Park, this three-day Rhododendron festival now is an annual event that has different sorts of Rhododendron with 29 of the total 46 are growing in Bhutan.
Advancing eco-tourism along with the aim of arising an occasion for self-sufficiency of local communities by focusing on ecology, culture, food, and entertainment are the two expectations of the Rhododendron Festival.
Visitors, during the three days of the festival, can get into naturally traditional Boedra and Zhungdra songs which are performed by local dwellers or take sightseeing around manifold stalls giving a livelihood picture of local communities nearby who mainly depend on natural park resources. Some of the following programs such as cultural performance and educational programs for environmental protection are performed by students from varied schools.
Also, visitors can participate within walking distance in the botanical park to immerse manifold Rhododendron species and indulge themselves in the ecological fortune.
Being aware of the important potential to promote ecotourism development in areas from the Rhododendron festival, some park festivals related to such festival was organized across the country since 2009. These parks are highly protected, thus, local dwellers living in and around the areas are disadvantaged by the limited exploitation of natural resources in the protected areas.
The Rhododendron festival, therefore, can do wonders for their livelihoods through its exchange activities in the area.
With the cooperation of related organizations such as the Tourism Council of Bhutan as well as includes the enjoyment of the community and schools of Tomb, Dagala, Chang, and Kawang gewog through a committee, Meto Pelri Tshogpa, Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, and Guide Association of Bhutan, among others, the Rhododendron festival is held by Natural Reaction and Ecotourism Division under the Agriculture ministry.
