13 October, 2011 – The youngest reigning monarch of the world’s youngest democracy, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 31, will today wed Jetsun Pema, 21, in a rich and solemn traditional religious ceremony fulfilling the wishes of the Bhutanese people in the Punakha Dzong that sits where the Pho chu and Mo chu rivers meet.
The sacred nuptial ceremony, which starts as early as four in the morning, will also proclaim royal bride Jetsun Pema as the Druk Gyal-tsuen (Queen of Bhutan).
The Gyal Tsuen Tashi Ngasoel (sacred nuptial ceremony) will be sanctified in a traditional religious ceremony, which will be performed at an auspicious hour in the grand Kuenra (congregation hall) of Punakha dzong, the main seat of Drukpa Kagyue tradition, which has witnessed epoch making events that shaped Bhutan’s religious, cultural and political history.
Yesterday, royal bride Jetsun Pema was escorted from her home in Langjophakha, Thimphu, and visited the Chang Gangkha lhakhang before she left for Wangduephodrang where she stayed over night at the Tencholing royal cottage.
The religious ceremonies for the royal wedding begins with His Holiness the Je Khenpo conducting the prayer of Zhabdrung Dag Nangma at Machhen lhakhang; while the Dorji Lopon and 100 monks initiate Tshepa Mey prayers at the grand Kuenra.
His Majesty the King will then receive the Dar Na Nga, an arrangement of silk scarves in the five auspicious colours, representing the five elements, which is a direct empowerment from the Zhabdrung himself.
The Fourth Druk Gyalpo will receive the Dar Na Nga for the royal bride from the Machhen, and bestow the silk scarves on her in the antechamber.
After receiving empowerment from the Zhabdrung Machhen, His Majesty and the royal bride will proceed to the Kuenra at around 10:15am for the sacred nuptial ceremony. The royal bride will offer His Majesty the Golden Bumpa filled with ambrosia of eternal life, signifying her devotion to the continuity of the Wangchuck dynasty. His Majesty the King will also make a symbolic offering of the ambrosia to the Triple gem and to the guardian deities.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo will begin chanting sutras for the crowning of the Queen with the accompaniment of the monastic orchestra. His Majesty will then bestow the crown of the Druk Gyal-tsuen upon the royal bride who will then be proclaimed as the Queen of Bhutan, Her Majesty the Queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. Her Majesty will then ascend the throne of the Queen of Bhutan.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo will then initiate the chants of the Ngoe drup langwa for the accumulation of spiritual and worldly virtues. The representatives of the zhung dratshang, government, and the people will offer the Mendrey, Ku, Sung, Thud, Yonten and Thrinley (mandala, body, speech, mind, qualities and deeds), Tashi Ze-gye (eight auspicious articles), Gyal Sid Naduen (symbols of the universal emperor) and Tashi Tagye (eight auspicious symbols) to Their Majesties the King and Queen. This traditional and sacred ceremony will be followed by the presentation of Tashi lekdar (offering felicitation) and a celebration with the public of Punakha.
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen will return to Thimphu tomorrow to celebrate the wedding in Thimphu on Saturday, October 15.
