Blessed Rainy Day
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Every 23 September is a national holiday in Bhutan called “Blessed Rainy Day”, or “Thrue-Bab” in the local language. In 2026, Blessed Rainy Day falls on Wednesday 23 September. The holiday will be on Thursday 23 September in 2027. Blessed Rainy Day arrives near the end of the annual monsoons, at the end of the agricultural season, and at the beginning of harvest time. It is considered an especially holy day on the Buddhist calendar. The tradition is for people to take a bath outside on this day, and it is believed that “bad karma” from any bad deeds in the past year will be washed away. This bath is supposed to also get rid of diseases, bad luck, and other negative influences. Taking the Blessed Rainy Day bath early in the morning at the hour recommended by astrologers is thought to guarantee the biggest possible benefit. Other traditions of the day include trying one’s hand at archery or at “khuru”, a traditional Bhutanese dart game that is played outside where large darts are hurled at wooden posts.
History
The tradition is for people to take a bath outside on this day, and it is believed that “bad karma” from any bad deeds in the past year will be washed away. This bath is supposed to also get rid of diseases, bad luck, and other negative influences. Other traditions of the day include trying one’s hand at archery or at “khuru”, a traditional Bhutanese dart game that is played outside where large darts are hurled at wooden posts
How It's Celebrated
Every 23 September is a national holiday in Bhutan called “Blessed Rainy Day”, or “Thrue-Bab” in the local language. The holiday will be on Thursday 23 September in 2027. The tradition is for people to take a bath outside on this day, and it is believed that “bad karma” from any bad deeds in the pas