Bhutan - Thousands celebrate in Changlimithang

Tens of thousands of people packed the Changlimithang stadium as the nation celebrated the royal wedding of His Majesty the King to Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck today.

Many had come as early as 2 am in the morning to make sure that they will be not left out and miss the opportunity of catching a glimpse of their King and Queen.

Long before the royal couple, the dignitaries and the guests arrived and the celebrations began, the stadium was literally overflowing. After sometime, police had to deny entry for the safety and comfort of the spectators who were already inside the stadium. Many returned home to watch the celebrations live on BBS TV.

The only noticeable outside guest at the celebrations was India’s Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi, a longtime friend of the Bhutanese royal family.

The celebrations began with His Majesty unveiling a Guru Thongdroel, roughly the size of a 12 storied building, by far the biggest Thongdroel to be made in history, and Their Majesties the King and the Queen lighting butter lamps and offering prayers to the Guru Thongdroel.

Midway through the celebrations, His Majesty made a brief, impromptu speech, to thank the people and the organisers for the seamless celebrations. His Majesty began by talking about how happy he was for being able to celebrate his wedding with his people.

His Majesty thanked His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for the socio-economic progress Bhutan has made and the continued peace and prosperity it enjoys, the Royal Grand Mother and Their Majesties the Queen Mothers for their support and tireless service to the nation and concluded the brief, informal speech by pledging to serve the nation tirelessly with Her Majesty the Queen.

Before His Majesty began his speech, he surprised the nation by planting a kiss, first on the cheek and after a moment’s hesitation on the lips of Her Majesty the Queen in full public view which was received by thunderous clapping and cheering by the crowd.

The celebrations were majestic with one entertaining cultural programme after another. The highlight of the celebrations was the presentation of the Wangzhey performed by His Majesty the King leading a team comprising of the Prime Minister, the opposition leader, cabinet ministers, and members of the parliament which they performed with grace and panache.

The Wangzhey was first performed by the people of Wang Tshochen Gay at Pangrizampa for the reception of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen spent a good part of the day walking hand in hand among the people, stopping every now and then to talk to them, asking them whether they are enjoying themselves, to hold their hands, or lift a child a child to plant a kiss on its cheek.

The celebrations ended with Tashi Lay-bay.

Bhutan - The Royal Matrimony, The Queen is Crowned

The Royal Wedding ceremony of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck took place in the Puna Dewachen Phodrang in Punakha. Jetsun Pema was sanctified as the Queen of Kingdom of Bhutan by His Majesty the King.

The ceremony began at 4 am with the initiation of soong-chhoe prayers at the Marchen Lhakhang and Kuenra of the Punakha Dzong. His Majesty the King, escorted by the sacred retinue, arrived at the Dzong from the Royal Lingkha and lit a golden lamp and offered prayers before the Thongdroel of Zhabdrung in the first courtyard of the Dzong.

The Royal Bride was led in chhipdrel procession into the Dzong, where she lit a golden lamp before the Thongdroel, and exchanged Tashi Jel-Dhar with His Majesty the King.

The Raven Crown and the crown for the Queen of Bhutan were brought out from the Most Holy Macchen Lhakhang, along with a Golden Bumpa and the sacred five coloured dhar.

The Fourth Druk Gyalpo bestowed the sacred dhar upon the Royal Bride, sanctifying the Royal Wedding.

In the Kuenrey, The Royal Bride offered the ambrosia of eternal life, signifying her devotion to the glorious continuity of the Wangchuck Dynasty, from the Golden Bumpa, to His Majesty the King.

His Majesty then bestowed the crown of the Druk Gyal-tsuen to the Royal Bride, and Ashi Jetsun Pema, now as Druk Gyaltshuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, ascended to the throne of the Queen of Bhutan, to the left of His Majesty the King.

The ceremony at the Kunrey ended with the offering of Tashi Nga Soel, symbolic offerings to their Majesties the Queen and King of Bhutan. His Holiness the Je Khenpo, The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and members of the Royal Family and guests offered tashi khadar to the royal couple.

Their Majesties the King and Queen then joined the people of Punakha and guests in a public celebration outside the dzong.

His Majesty granted tokha to the people gathered at the celebration ground.

Royal Wedding - LIVE on BBS

The Proceedings of the Royal Wedding at the Puna Dewa Chhen-poi Phodrang, Punakha will be broadcast LIVE on BBS TV from 7am

Bhutan - Banknotes and Coins to Commemorate Royal Wedding

The Royal Monetary Authority has printed commemorative banknotes and minted silver coins to commemorate the Royal Wedding.

The notes and the coins will be available in Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan Development Bank Limited and in the BOB counter at the Paro Airport from October 13^th till 4^th of November.

The note will cost Nu. 500 and the silver coin will be Nu. 5,000.

Bhutan - Royal Wedding stamps launched

To celebrate the World Postal Day, Bhutan Post launched eight different stamps portraying His Majesty the King and the royal bride today.

It was launched by the venerable Dorji Lopen of the central monastic body.

The Deputy Managing Director of Bhutan Post said the office will remain open during the holidays coinciding with the royal wedding to provide free postal service.

Bhutan - Royal wedding keeps boot makers busy

The royal wedding is around the corner. There is so much excitement. There is so much expectation. And this excitement and expectation is nowhere more apparent than at a small tailor shop in Chubachu, dealing in Tsholham.

Made from brocade and decorated with elaborate embroidery, the Tsholhams are traditional boots, worn at formal events and ceremonies.

The shop has been flooded with orders from high ranking officials, the monk body, civil servants and businessmen. Its employees are working round the clock to meet the deadline.

Jangchukla who owns the shop said “for the chipdrel (ceremonial) procession alone, we have received orders for hundred pairs of boots. We have also received orders from schools and dzongkhags. So we are busy at the moment.”

A pair of the ordinary traditional boots cost Nu.1,800. The price can go up to Nu.6,000 depending on the quality of the brocade used in making the boots and the complexity of the embroidery.

To cash in on the occasion, the shop is selling the ordinary boots at Nu.1,500 a pair.

So far they have received orders for more than 200 pairs.

Nawang Dendup, a teacher had come all the way from Lhuentse to have his feet measured and place the order. He is also buying for his friends.

“We cannot come to Thimphu to celebrate the wedding but we will be celebrating in our school. I bought 15 pairs. I think I will need more than that. I have placed orders for 20 more, which I will come to collect later.”

Meeting the ever growing demand is not going to be easy. The shop has nine employees. Working non-stop, they can make a pair of boots each in a day.