Tuesday 4 November 2008

Bhutan : His Majesty Jigme Khesar, truly a people's King

November 3: Tens of thousands of people waited along the way burning aromatic herbs and incense sticks as His Majesty the King returned to the capital from Punakha yesterday.

Many waved the national flag. Others held Tashi Khadhar and symbolic offerings of grains and fruits in their hand. The elderly waited patiently for their monarch with their hands held together in reverence and in prayer.

The road was filled with students waving the national flags. Shop owners and residents dressed in their finery occupied every space available. Bhutanese from all walks of life came out in their holiday best.

As the royal procession returned to the capital, the people of Bhutan were in a festive mood as they paid their tribute, affirmed their loyalty and expressed their love and affection to their Druk Gyalpo.

They awaited the arrival of His Majesty Jigme Khesar with offerings of grains and fruits. Many set up shrines with portraits of His Majesty. As the fragrant smoke of the incense and the saang wafted into the clear blue November sky, the atmosphere was indeed a special one, an experience of a lifetime.

At Simtokha, His Majesty the King was received by the Works and Human Settlement Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, the trainees of the Royal Institute of Management and the public.

Deeply moved by the spontaneous expression of love and affection for their monarch, His Majesty the king alighted from the vehicle and walked on foot from Simtokha all the way to the Lingkana, passing along the expressway and through the main street of the town.

Along the way, His Majesty tried to speak to as many people as possible. Some of the people who have been waiting along the way, especially the elderly moved by the historic occasion broke down with joy.

Upon arrival at the gate of the Royal Cottage in the Lingkana, His Majesty the King was received by cabinet ministers and senior government officials. His Majesty the king was then escorted in chipdrel procession to the Royal Cottage.

At the Lingkana Royal Cottage, His Majesty was presented a guard of honor by the Royal Body Guards. It was followed by a Marchang ceremony.

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