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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 a major national event celebrated annually on 17 December in the Kingdom of Bhutan.[1][2][3] The day holds significant importance in the history of Bhutan.[4] December 17 marks the anniversary of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan in 1907 at Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang. This event signifies the establishment of the hereditary monarchy and the unification of Bhutan under Wangchuck dynasty.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

However, the national day was first celebrated on 17 December 1971[2]

Significance

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The day is a public holiday in Bhutan, and all government offices and agencies are closed to commemorate the historic occasion.[7] All Bhutanese take pride in celebrating the day.[8] The day celebrates the establishment of the monarchy in Bhutan and honours the sacrifices made by past monarchs for the nation's sovereignty and prosperity.[4][7] Therefore, the day is considered a tribute to the monarchs who shaped the nation and also a celebration of unity.[6][9] It is a day for Bhutanese to renew their pledge to serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum and remain loyal to the Wangchuck Dynasty.[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 unified the nation.[11][12] A petition to the Lhengye Zhungtshog was submitted by Drungpa Ugyen Dorji to establish monarchy in Bhutan with Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary king.[4][11][13] The Dratshang Lhentshog and Lhengye Zhungtshog endorsed the proposal and leadership.[14]

On 17 December 1907, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously crowned as the first hereditary King of Bhutan.[1][2][3][4][7][8][10][11] Since then, the country has been united under one leadership.[4][8]

It was on 17 December 1971, 64 years after the coronation of the first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, that national day was observed for the first time.[2][15]

Celebration

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Since the very first celebration in 1971[2][15] celebrations have been held annually across the country.[2][4][15] An archival footage of the 1979 national day celebration in Pema Gatshel emphasises the Bhutan's cultural history.[12]

The main event usually take place in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Celebrations are held across the country and also among the Bhutanese living abroad.[8][16] The celebrations include an address to the nation by the Druk Gyalpo.[17] and the raising of the national flag at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.[5] It also include the procession of the statue of the late King Ugyen Wangchuck to honour him and the independence of Bhutan.[18]

2024 Celebrations

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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck graced the 117th national day celeberations at the Changlimithang Stadium. The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, other royal family members, more than 20,000 people, including over 200 international guests also attended the event.[19][16] The event commenced with the reception of the king in a traditional chipdrel ceremony, hoisting of Bhutan’s national flag and an address to the nation by the king.[16] The celebration continued with events highlighting Bhutan's vibrant culture.[5][16] The 117th national day also marked the first-ever civil parade to celebrate the country's unsung heroes like the roadside workers, firefighters, social workers, telecom and space workers, and honesty teams for their important contributions to the nation-building.[20] The day ended with a Tashi Labey.[16]

The Bhutanese community in Australia also celebrated the national day. The celebration began with a chibdrel procession, listening to the king’s speech live from Changlimithang, followed by various cultural performances and awards.[21] The national day was also celebrated at Chandigarh University.[22] Bhutanese diaspora in the U.S. also joined the celebration.[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. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  14. ^ "117 years of unity, honoring Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck". BBSCL. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  15. ^ a b c "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. Archived from the original on 2024-12-26. 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. Archived from the original on 2024-12-26. 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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