His Majesty King Jigme Khesar crowned 5th Druk Gyalpo

November 8: The sun of happiness was shining brightly all over Bhutan as His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned as the Fifth Druk Gyalpo in the sacrosanct Chamber of the Golden Throne in Tashichhodzong on November 6.

The Coronation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is a momentous historic event, rare and unique as it was His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo who Crowned His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as the Fifth Hereditary King of Bhutan.

The ceremony began early in the morning with the monks of the Zhung Dratshang performing Lhasang Tashi Raykong or incense offering to the guardian deities in the royal altar room adjacent to the chamber of the Golden Throne.

This was followed by the Pel Dechog Khorlo Dompi Soong Chhoe or the invocation of the tutelary deity at the Kuenra. Three sacred thongdroels of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas were also unfurled.

His Majesty the King was escorted from the Dechencholing palace by the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, the Works and Human Settlement Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba and Education Minister Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdyel to the Tashichhodzong.

At the main ceremonial gate at Dechen Zam, His Majesty was received by the Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay, Speaker Jigme Tshultim, opposition leader Tshering Tobgay, the Chairperson of the National Council Namgay Penjore, cabinet ministers and senior government officials. His Majesty was escorted into the Tashichhodzong in an elaborate chhipdrel procession.

At the Tashichhodzong, His Majesty was received by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo and His Holiness the Je Khenpo. His Majesty was escorted to the dais where he stood facing the Guru Thongdroel. His Majesty was presented the dance of the heroes by the Bji Bi Pawos. Following that marchhang was offered by the Royal Chamberlain Dasho Penjore, the Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Minjur Dorji and the venerable Tshugla Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang Lopen Samten Dorji.

In the throne room, His Majesty stood facing His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and His Holiness the Je Khenpo. His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks recited the Coronation sutras. His Holiness then proceeded to the altar, raised the Raven Crown from the altar with tashi khaddar and delivered it to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

As the coronation serda commenced both within and outside the chamber, His Majesty the King ascended the pedestal in front of the supreme Golden Throne. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo then crowned His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as the fifth hereditary king of Bhutan. His Majesty the King then ascended the Supreme Golden Throne.

This was followed by Zhug-drel Phuensum Tshogpi and marchang ceremony.

His Majesty the King was then offered the symbols of Ku, Soong, Thuk, Yonten and Thrinley or the body, speech, mind, qualities and deeds.

His Holiness the Je Khenpo made offerings of empowerment to His Majesty the King. It began with the offering of Gyalse Na-duen or the seven precious objects of the Universal Emperor, followed by the offering of Tashi Zegye or the eight auspicious elements.

The Tashi Ngasoel ceremony in the grand chamber of the supreme golden throne concluded with the recitation of Moenlam Drubgyal and Deshey Toenpa.

The Secretary to His Majesty the King then conveyed the Crown to altar in the kuenrey.

Following this, His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo, offered thridar to His Majesty the King followed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the President of India, Her Majesty the Royal Grand Mother, their Majesties the Queen Mothers, members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the dignitaries present in the throne room.

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