A three-day ceremonial masked dance, or cham, was held at Bhutan's Druk Thupten Chholing Shabdrung Monastery in Bodh Gaya from 22–24January 2024.

There is a belief in Bhutan that just by watching this dance, all kinds of sins and negative merit are destroyed. The ritual is organized on a date determined according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar.

Buddhist monk, explained that it is believed that the cham dancers are messengers of peace and that their dance drives away evil spirits living near by, bringing peace and happiness to the people.

Masked dances in Bhutan have a rich and spiritual history dating to the eighth century, when Guru Padmasambhava introduced tantric Buddhism to Bhutan.

The masked cham is an important aspect of Bhutanese culture, with great significance for the people of Bhutan. The dances are performed to honor and appease deities. The masks are believed to embody the spirit of the deity and to protect the performers from evil spirits. Cham, usually performed in colorful costumes, are vibrant and lively, and are performed during festivals.

Dances in Bhutan have their own unique forms and styles. The dancers do not merely perform to entertain the audience or to win awards. Each dance form requires a meticulous effort and complete faith.

The development of masked dances in Bhutan can be divided into three periods.

In the first period, Guru Rinpoche introduced the concept of masked dances. The second period saw the contributions of the siddha Pema Lingpa, who composed many dances that portrayed divine attendants and celestial beings preparing a path to heaven.

In the third period, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a great lama who unified Bhutan., introduced cham as an integral part of the annual festivals held in the capital Thimphu. Since then, the dances have been an integral part of Buddhist festivals of Bhutan and are performed as a symbol of respect for the Buddhadharma and the great masters.

Watching these sacred performances is a profound spiritual experience that offers the opportunity to purify one’s soul and attain liberation from worldly attachments. The dances also serve as a form of communication, conveying deep lessons about life, death, and morality. Today, with their growing popularity and frequent performances during festivals, they have become a prominent symbol of the Bhutanese national identity.

It is believed that attending a festival where the mask dances are performed at least once in one’s lifetime can wash away one’s negative karma and bring blessings. These unique and colorful events attract locals and travelers from all over the world who wish to experience them.