BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:19@haa.gov.bt
DTSTART:20261101T033000Z
DTEND:20261101T150000Z
DTSTAMP:20260205T074738Z
URL:https://haa.gov.bt/events/ap-chundu-festival-haa-valleys-unknown-spiri
 tual-celebration/
SUMMARY:Ap Chundu Festival: Haa Valley’s Unknown Spiritual Celebration
DESCRIPTION:The Ap Chundu festival is a sacred tribute to the guardian deit
 y of Haa\, whose origins trace back to Bodhgaya\, India\, and Tibet before
  he settled at Lhakhang Karpo. Legend tells of Ap Chundu’s fierce loyalt
 y and miraculous powers\; he famously secured "fire" for the valley and de
 fended Haa against a Tibetan invasion. During the conflict\, he supposedly
  used magic to lead invaders over a steep cliff and possessed the strength
  of four men. His rivalry with the deity Ap Gyengay—whom he slapped so h
 ard the spirit became half-deaf—remains a core piece of local folklore\,
  explaining why every household in Haa flies a white flag in his honor tod
 ay.\nThe festival itself is defined by the longest Chhipdrel (procession) 
 in Bhutan\, a 10km journey from Lhakhang Karpo to the Jangkha-kha ceremoni
 al ground. A white horse\, believed to be invisibly mounted by the spirit 
 of Ap Chundu\, leads the way through the valley. Along the route\, communi
 ties offer marchang (ceremonial alcohol) at sacred sites like the Nga-chhu
  Chorten. While historical misconceptions suggest animal sacrifice was onc
 e central\, the modern festival has evolved toward compassion\; animal sla
 ughter was abolished over a decade ago\, replaced by symbolic offerings.\n
 Today\, the celebration serves as a bridge between the ancient shamanistic
  roots of Haa and its Buddhist identity. It concludes at Jangkha-kha\, whe
 re Paows and Phams (shamanic oracles) perform grand rituals. The climax of
  the event occurs when a shaman reportedly invites the spirit of Ap Chundu
  to enter his body\, delivering annual prophecies and blessings to the peo
 ple. This tradition preserves the unique cultural heritage of the Bji Gewo
 g\, honoring a deity who remains the "ever-watchful" protector of the vall
 ey’s three sacred peaks\, the Meri Puensum.   
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://haa.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Ap
 -Chhundu15.webp
CATEGORIES:Culture
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR