Acharaya Tshering Penjor
July 2023
The compact pilot project will document the liturgical procedures encompassing rites, ceremonies, and worship observed by a specific household during the winter event known as “Lochoe,” which takes place in the village of Taktse. Situated approximately 20 kilometers away from the administrative office of Trongsa district, Taktse holds significance in this cultural endeavor.
“Lochoe or Loche” is a term in Dzongkha (the Bhutanese language) that translates to an annual religious rite or practice conducted to appease the local deities. This customary annual ritual is carried out by every household across Bhutan, involving offerings made to their respective local and territorial protector deities.
During this yearly gathering, it is customary for the host family to provide meals for the entire neighborhood and even those passing by, driven purely by the intention to accumulate virtuous deeds rather than personal gain.
The ritual process during Loche is divided into two main phases, viz., Morning and Evening. The morning begins with the incenses offering and proceeds with offerings and the invocation of verses for Menmo deities, concluding with the disposal of their sacrificial cakes. The evening centers on the Yang or Yang-nor ritual, a wealth enrichment ritual that involves worshiping the gods of wealth – Namsay and Tshering-ma along with the family tutelary deities. Sacrificial cakes for each deity are prepared and kept singly on a bench of the altar. Following the prescribed sequence, these cakes are ceremonially disposed of in the appropriate direction, marking the end of the ritual. Finally, a collective offering of food and other edible items are provided to household neighbors and even passersby, an act meant to accumulate virtuous deeds rather than personal gain.
We would like to extend our special gratitude to Lam Dorji Tenzin, Ex-Lam of Taktse Lhakhang for his generous contribution to this pilot study.
The detailed write up on Loche will be made publicly available after completion of the research.
Key words: Lochoe, Taktse, Family Rites, Rituals