Coronation Day: June 2
Coronation Day is a national holiday in Bhutan.
Every year on June 2, the South Asian, Buddhist nation of Bhutan celebrates the coronation of its fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who was king from 1974 until 2006. People remember him for the vital reforms he brought to the country during his reign.
History of Coronation Day in Bhutan
Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on November 11, 1955. He was made king at the age of 17 due to the sudden demise of his father, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. He was the youngest ever monarch at the age of 18 and was crowned on the 2nd of June 1974. The coronation ceremony was attended by several dignitaries from different countries, bringing an end to the long isolation of the landlocked nation from the rest of the world.
Educated in Bhutan and the United Kingdom, the fourth king’s rule was relatively orthodox and was based on many Buddhist principles, enforcing the use of traditional clothing by the Bhutanese. He continued his late father’s policy of slow modernization, eventually lifting the ban on television and internet. Bhutan was one of the last countries to have adopted the use of television in some fashion.
While he recognized that modernization was necessary, he preached responsibility for keeping the balance between culture, tradition, spirituality, and economy. In 2003, he preached the concept under the name of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
In the year 2005, the king informed the people of his decision to abdicate the throne. The throne was to be left to his eldest son, and parliamentary elections were conducted in the year 2008. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was officially crowned fifth king of Bhutan on November 6, 2008.
Bhutan’s Coronation Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The fourth king is seen as someone who brought about major reforms to the country. He made sure that the country was modernized while at the same time keeping the culture and tradition intact. Coronation Day is a national holiday, and the people of Bhutan celebrate this day with much fervor. It is the day which brought them a king who changed their lives. The celebrations are very colorful, and people from all walks of life participate in it. So if you are planning to visit Bhutan, plan your holiday around this time of the year so that you can participate in the celebrations.
Other interesting posts:
- The King’s Birthday Is Celebrated in Bhutan
- Bhutan Third King’s Death
- Thailand Celebrates Coronation Day of King
- Guru Rinpoche’s Birthday Celebrated in Bhutan
- Bhutan Honors the Shabdrung on Shabdrung Kuchoey
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