His Majesty crowned
7 November 2008
His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned the fifth King of Bhutan yesterday in a sacred and intimate ceremony in the Serthri Namgay Khangzang (the supreme golden throne room) in Tashichhodzong yesterday.
Amidst the recitation of sutras, His Holiness the Je Khenpo raised the Raven Crown with the Tashi Khadar and handed it to the fourth Druk Gyalpo. The fourth King held it until the precise moment of 8.31 am, chosen for its auspiciousness, and then placed it gently on the head of his son, the fifth King of Bhutan, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
At that moment His Majesty ascended the supreme golden throne, becoming the world’s youngest reigning monarch in the world’s newest democracy.
His Majesty was offered thridar (felicitations) by the fourth Druk Gyalpo, His holiness the Je Khenpo, the President of India Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of Congress Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley and other dignitaries.
His Majesty arrived at the Tashichhodzong led by the grand Chhipdrel procession wearing the Dar Na-Nga, the five scarves, which he received from the sacred Machhen in Punakha last Saturday.
After His Majesty was crowned, His Holiness the Je Khenpo began the Zhug-drel Phuensum Tshogpai ceremony (celebration of harmonious fruition). His Majesty was then offered the objects of Ku, Soong, Thuk, Yonten and Thrinley (body, speech, mind, qualities and deeds). His Majesty arrived at the Kuenra at 10.37 am where His Holiness the Je Khenpo presided over the Ngoe-drub-langwa ceremony (acquisition of worldly and spiritual virtues). His Majesty was offered the items of Tshe-ril, Tshe-chang and Thrue-chhu blessed with virtues and merits by Buddhas and Bodhisattavas such as pel dechog khorlo dompa during the day’s Soong-chhoe.
His Majesty was offered the eight items of Tashi-Tagye (eight auspicious signs) after which the Tashi Ngasoel ceremony concluded at the Kuenra.
After the coronation Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley said “His Majesty the King will always play a very important role as a moral force in our country. The King will be the force that will ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of democracy in our country.”
Lyonchhen said due to limited resources not many foreign dignitaries were invited. He said it was His Majesty’s wish that the coronation remain a modest and intimate celebration for him to share with his people.
Dr. Sonam Tshering, Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Human Resources said, “It is the best time in the history for the nation and for the people because everything turned out as planned, wished and desired by the people in a solemn, tranquil and peaceful environment.
“I personally am glad for having this lifetime experience because during the Coronation of the fourth King in 1974, I offered the thridhar on behalf of the Y.H.S as I was the school captain. Now, I have the opportunity to offer thridhar to His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck too.”
Dorji Tshering, Director of Home and Cultural Affairs said, “The Coronation is conducted in a domestic manner just like His Majesty desired it to be. However with wonderful advent of the mass media and communications technology, the whole world can also witness this historic event.”
The crown famously known as the Raven Crown was first worn by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel, the father of the first King His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck. The Raven Crown has its name derived from the legend stating that the protective deity of Bhutan Yeshey Gempo or Mahakala took the animal form of a raven. Moreover, the crown has the head of a raven that symoblises the face of the Yeshey Gempo.
Over the years a number of crowns in varying designs have been instituted. Sometimes the crown had a shorter raven’s neck, smaller rim, and had flaps tapering upward on both the sides with the motif of the sun and the moon on the front. One modified crown is much shorter and flatter with a broader rim, elongated raven neck and prominent raven head with sharp protruding beaks and different motifs. On the broader rims are the tantric skulls or bones that are associated with wrathful deities.
The first raven crown is presently on display at the Paro Museum. The Raven Crown of the His Majesty King Ugyen Wangchuck, the First King of Bhutan, is different to the first Raven Crown of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel with the only similarity being the surmounting raven and the three eyes on the crown representing the Yesheypai Chen (the clairvoyant eyes of the extra-ordinary).
The Raven Crown worn by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King, bears similar motifs with the exception of the Jachung (Garuda, the king of birds in Sanskrit) replacing the motif of tantric skulls.
Coming full circle, of immense significance is the fact that after 100 years, the crown worn by the first King of Bhutan, His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck is now worn by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the father of the next 100 years.
By Eshori Gurung and Rabi C. Dahal
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Loading ...Zakar for Friday July 30 2010
20th Day of the 06th Month - Iron Male Tiger Year
Auspicious for: Carrying out daily chores and making offerings.
Inauspicious for: Starting construction of new house, sowing seeds, planting flowers, entering the new house, shifting houses, calling upon superiors, starting business, doing charity works in the name of deceased, taking out dead bodies, paying grain debts, undertaking long journey and holding discussion.
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REALLY ITS THE HAPPIEST DAY IN HISTORY OF BHUTAN…….I HOPE THAT THE POSSITIVE CHANGE IN THE THRONE BRING LOTS OF GLORY TO THIS COUNTRY…….LET ALL THE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION COME TO AND END AND LETS ALL UNITE TOGETHER TO HELP OUR NEW DRUKGYELPO TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE……….A CHANGE HAS COME AT THE RIGHT MOMENT FOR US AND WE CAN ALL THANKS TO OUR ROYAL FAMILY……HOPE WE TOUCH THE ZENITH OF SUCCESS…….LONG LIVE OUR KING…..PRAY FOR YOUR LONG LIFE AND HOPE U CAN CHANGE OUR LIFE…..
How fortunate it is to be a citizen of such a great dynasty. Our Kings are the only Chogyels now in the world. It must have been there in Tibet and Sikkim in the past but no more. They are the true jewels of this etherial Earth. Our Kings were Kings of all Bhutanese. They were never racist if you hint at that, Suprit Pradhan.
I do not think any other Bhutanese is racist too. So, where is the need to bring the racial discrimination to an end when it never existed? If a chunk of our misguided Southern Bhutanese felt there was racial discrimination, it was only your perception that made it so.
I am an Eastern Bhutanese and despite violent disturbance in the South, I have long time forgiven all the bad deeds some Southern Bhutanese committed. There was no need for such a violence as our government would have been easily convinced if you did not wish to wear a gho or kira.
I plead to every Bhutanese including the Southern Bhutanese to feel as one people one nation , forgive each other in the true spirits if anybody is harbouring hard feelings and build a better Bhutan, taking our ethnic diversity not as weakness but strength as it is taken in USA.
Long live His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk and His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and god bless the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Its really good 2 to see His majasty getting crowned as king.I missed the coronation day as I was in a school in India.That day was my birthday and in school that day we had given a talk about the coronation of the king.I hope His majasty makes the country a better place.
Great the Kings, Farsighted they are, Valour and Revered dynasties of the Thunder Dragon, the Extraordinary the Wangchuk Dynasty.
Crowning of the Crown Prince is the pouring of addtional happines and peace to the people and to the country.
I wish you, your majesty’s long live, good accmulation of works and merit in HM’S daily life.
We Love You and We are Devoted to You throughout our Life