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Draft:National Day of Bhutan

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National Day of Bhutan
Official nameNational Day of Bhutan
Also calledGyalyong Düchen
Observed byBhutan
TypeNational
SignificanceThe Day commemorates the anniversary of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan in 1907 at the Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang.
Date17 December
Next time17 December 2025 (2025-12-17)
FrequencyAnnual

National Day of Bhutan (Dzongkha: རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་དུས་ཆེན་; Wylie: rgyal yongs dus chen) known as Gyalyong Düchen is the major national event celebrated annually on 17th December in the Kingdom of Bhutan.[1][2][3] December 17 is an important day in the history of Bhutan.[4] The day commemorates the anniversary of the Coronation of Sir Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan in 1907 at the Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang signifying the establishment of Hereditary Monarchy and the unification of the country under Wangchuck Dynasty.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

However, the National Day was only celebrated for the first time on 17 December 1971.[2]

Significance

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The day is a public holiday in Bhutan, and all the government offices and agencies are closed to come together and celebrate the historic occasion.[7] All Bhutanese take pride in celebrating the day.[8] The National Day of Bhutan serves not only as a celebration of the establishment of monarchy in Bhutan but also as a reminder of the profound sacrifices made by the past magnanimous monarchs for the nation's sovereignty and prosperity.[4][7] Therefore, the day is a tribute to the visionary monarchs who shaped the nation and a celebration of unity.[6][9] It is also a day for Bhutanese people to come together to renew their pledge to serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum with utmost dedication and sincerity, and to offer complete loyalty to the Wangchuck Dynasty for their unparalleled blessings to the country and its people.[7][10]

History

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Bhutan was first unified by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who reigned for 35 years in the 17th century.[4][11] However, the death of Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1651 followed instability in the country for 225 years.[4] As a result, regional leaders engaged in a power struggle with internal conflicts and civil war.[4][12] By late 19th century, as foretold by Guru Rinpoche’s prophecy, Ugyen Wangchuck, the Ponlop of Tongsa, rose to prominence and brought the nation together.[11][12] A petition to the Lhengye Zhungtshog was submitted by Drungpa Ugyen Dorji to establish monarchy in the country with Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck as the First Hereditary King.[4][11][13] The Zhung Dratshang and Lhengye Zhungtshog readily endorsed Ugyen Wangchuck's visionary leadership.[14]

On December 17th 1907, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously enthroned as the First Hereditary King of Bhutan.[1][2][3][4][7][8][10][11] Since then the country was united as one nation under one leadership. The monarchy brought peace, unity and prosperity in the country.[4][8]

However, the day was not celebrated as the National day until 1971. Only on December 17, 1971, 64 years after King Ugyen Wangchuck's coronation, was the National Day observed for the first time.[2]

Celebration

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The National Day was only celebrated for the first time on 17 December 1971.[2][15] Since then, grand celebrations were held across the country to mark the event as an auspicious and special day.[2][4] The day was given significant national importance, and the festivities grew increasingly lavish and joyous.[15] An archival footage of the 1979 National Day celebration in Pema Gatshel emphasises the pride, unity, and Bhutan's rich history.[12]

While the celebration is held across the country and beyond to the Bhutanese living abroad, the main event usually take place in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.[8][16] They include a Royal Address to the nation by His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo.[17] The raising of the national flag at the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu, the capital, is also one of the highlights of National Day.[5] It also included the procession of the statue of the late King Ugyen Wangchuck to honor him and the independence of Bhutan.[18]

2024 Celebrations

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His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck graced the 117th national day celeberation at the Changlimithang Stadium. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and other Royal Family members also attended the celeberation. More that 20,000 people, including over 200 international guests attended the 117th National Day celebrations.[19][16] The celeberation began with the reception of His majesty in a traditional chipdrel ceremony, hoisting of Bhutan’s National Flag, a Royal Address to the nation by His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.[16] Later, the celebration continued with colorful parades, traditional dances, and performances that showcase Bhutan’s vibrant culture.[5][16] The 117th national day also marked the first-ever civil parade to celeberate the country's unsung heroes like the roadside workers, firefighters, social workers, telecom and space workers, and honesty teams for their contributions to the nation-building.[20] The day ended with a Tashi Labey.[16]

The Bhutanese community in Australia also celebrated the 117th national day. The celebration began with a chibdrel procession, listening to His Majesty’s speech live from Changlimithang, followed by various cultural performances and awards.[21] The 117th National Day of Bhutan was celebrated with grandeur, cultural vitality, and a spirit of solidarity at Chandigarh University.[22] Bhutanese diaspora in the US also joined the nation in celebrating the 117th national day of Bhutan.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (Art. 1)" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Gyalyong Düchen: Bhutan's National Day | Mandala Collections - Texts". texts.mandala.library.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  3. ^ a b c "Bhutan National Day". Mountain Kingdoms. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Our National Day – BHUTAN TODAY". Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  5. ^ a b c "National Day of Bhutan - Windhorse Tours". www.windhorsetours.com. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  6. ^ a b Meera (2024-12-16). "National Day in Bhutan 2024 Date and Significance: Everything To Know About the Day That Marks the Anniversary of the Coronation of Bhutan's First King Ugyen Wangchuck | 🙏🏻 LatestLY". LatestLY. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  7. ^ a b c d "111th National Day". www.samtse.gov.bt. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  8. ^ a b c d "Bhutan celebrates its 115th National Day on December 17, 2022". bhutan. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  9. ^ "Bhutan's National Day: A Celebration of Unity and Legacy – Business Bhutan". businessbhutan.bt. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  10. ^ a b "Celebrating the 117th National Day of Bhutan". Archived from the original on 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  11. ^ a b c d "National Day in Bhutan in 2025". Office Holidays. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  12. ^ a b c "From internal struggles to unified nation, Bhutan's National Day story". BBSCL. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  13. ^ "Bhutan National Day". National Today. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  14. ^ "117 years of unity, honoring Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck". BBSCL. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  15. ^ a b "Gyalyong Duechen: The National Day". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  16. ^ a b c d e "His Majesty The King graces 117th National Day celebrations". BBSCL. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  17. ^ "National Day in Bhutan / December 17, 2024". AnydayGuide. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  18. ^ "Bhutan's 117th National Day Features Grand Festivities, Musical Performances and Engaging Lucky Draw". Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  19. ^ "Over 200 international guests arrive in Bhutan for 117th National Day celebrations". BBSCL. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  20. ^ "First-ever civil parade to celebrate country's unsung heroes". BBSCL. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  21. ^ "Bhutanese community in Australia celebrates National Day". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  22. ^ "117th Bhutan National Day Celebrated with Grandeur and Unity". Chandigarh University. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  23. ^ "Bhutanese diaspora in the US to celebrate National Day on December 21". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
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