Prince Jigme namgyal Wangchuk

29/10/2023

28 October 2023:

The State Funeral for Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji, the Chairperson of the Privy Council, was held at Hejo today.

Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji passed away on October 9, 2023.

A guard of honour was presented by the Royal Bhutan Army as the funerary pyre was lit. The funerary prayers were presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.

His Majesty The King attended the funeral, a gesture of honour and recognition of Lyonpo Chenkyab’s lifetime of service to the nation. The funeral was also attended by the Prime Minister, heads of government agencies, constitutional bodies and armed forces, and many others who came to pay their respects.

Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji joined the Civil Service in October 1961, and served in various capacities during his long and illustrious career. He was conferred the Red Scarf in 1975, the Orange Scarf in 1991 and the Druk Thuksey on 17 December 2017.

He was appointed the Chairperson of the Privy Council in 2008, where he served until his passing.

29/10/2023

27 October 2023:

His Majesty The King graced the celebration of the 35th Anniversary of Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in Bhutan.

The JICA Volunteer program was formally initiated in Bhutan in 1987, with the signing of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer Dispatch Agreement between the governments of Japan and Bhutan. The first volunteers were sent to the Agricultural Machinery Centre in Paro in July 1988.

Japan-Bhutan relations, however, stretch back to atleast 1964, when the first Japanese national came to work in Bhutan. In recognition of his services to Bhutan, Dasho Keiji Nishioka was conferred the red scarf by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in 1980.

The close relations between Japan and Bhutan have been enriched by the over 641 Japanese nationals who lived and worked across Bhutan through the JOCV programme. The volunteers have worked to contribute to Bhutan’s development efforts in various sectors, including education, health, ICT, infrastructure, and sports.

The celebration was attended by the Prime Minister, the Ambassador of Japan to Bhutan, and other officials and dignitaries.

25/10/2023

24 October 2023:

Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, accompanied by His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck, attended the Dassain tika ceremony at the Devi Panchayan Mandir at Kuenselphodrang this morning.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck received tika from the pandits who have been conducting the 10-day Durga Puja at the Mandir.

Her Majesty offered prayers to the Goddess Durga, and met with the people who had come to the Mandir to offer their prayers, receive tika, and meet Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck.

Dassain is the most important festival for the Hindu community in Bhutan. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, commemorating the victory of Lord Ram, an incarnation of Vishnu, over the demon Ravana. In the Ramayana, Lord Ram is said to have offered prayers to Goddess Durga, culminating in his victory in battle on the tenth day. Dassain is celebrated by families together, with children visiting parents to receive tika. The tika symbolizes elder’s blessings for the wellbeing of their children.

25/10/2023

24 October 2023: Royal Highland Festival Concludes

His Majesty The King and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel spent the second day of the Royal Highland Festival in Laya interacting with participants and visitors.

The two-day festival, which has been held annually since 2016 to celebrate highland culture, concluded today with games, animal races, and entertainment programmes, alongside displays of products from the highlands.

23/10/2023

23 October, 2023:
His Majesty The King was accompanied by His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck in Laya, Gasa, for the 6th Royal Highland Festival, which began today.

The Royal Highland Festival is an annual event showcasing the unique cultural heritage of the people of the highlands of Bhutan. Highland communities from across Bhutan participate in the festival, which is attended by both domestic and international visitors.

22/10/2023

21 October 2023:

His Majesty The King visited the Devi Panchayan Mandir at Kuenselphodrang this morning and offered prayers on Durga Puja.

Durga Puja is held ahead of Dassai, which falls on the 24th of October this year. The Prime Minister, senior government officials, and representatives of the Hindu Dharma Samudaya attended the puja. Members of the Hindu community in Thimphu also visited the mandir to meet with His Majesty and offer prayers together.

As is tradition ahead of Dassai, His Majesty blessed the Dassai tika which will be sent to dzongkhags across Bhutan. Dassai is celebrated by the Hindu community in Bhutan with tika from parental figures, symbolizing their blessings and protection. As The King is considered the personification of Vishnu, as well as a father figure to all His people, Dassai tika from His Majesty is regarded as the most sacred of blessings.

02/08/2023