In a display of reverence and continuity of Bhutan’s spiritual heritage, His Majesty The King presided over the annual Zhabdrung Kuchoe observance at Punakha Dzong earlier today. The ceremony, held at the historic fortress-monastery that once served as the principal seat of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, drew monks, government officials, and local residents to participate in prayers and ritual offerings.
Zhabdrung Kuchoe commemorates the passing of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the 17th-century lama who unified the valleys of Bhutan and is widely regarded as the architect of the Kingdom’s dual system of governance. Observed each year on the 11th day of the third month of the Bhutanese calendar, the festival is an occasion for reflection on the nation’s founding principles and spiritual roots.
Shortly after dawn, His Majesty was escorted into the dzong’s courtyard amid the rolling echoes of traditional drums and conch-shell trumpets. Monks from nearby monastic bodies chanted sadhanas and heaped tsampa (barley flour) offerings at the base of the central stupa, while His Majesty joined in kneeling prostrations and joint recitations of sacred mantras.
In his brief address, His Majesty underscored the enduring legacy of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, emphasizing that “the unity and wellbeing of our people originate from the vision he set forth more than four centuries ago.” He went on to encourage the citizenry to draw inspiration from Zhabdrung’s commitment to compassion and justice as the nation navigates contemporary challenges.
Punakha Dzong, with its strategic position at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, holds a special place in Bhutanese history. Constructed in 1637 by Zhabdrung himself, the fortress served as the summer residence of successive monarchs and remains a symbol of Bhutan’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Local participants described the ceremony as deeply moving. “To gather here, at the very heart of our historical identity, and to witness His Majesty’s participation brings a profound sense of connection to our ancestors,” said Tashi Dorji, a lifelong resident of nearby villages.
As incense spiraled skyward and sacred bells tolled, the observance concluded with the distribution of blessed rice and butter tea to congregants. The day’s solemnity reaffirmed Bhutan’s ongoing commitment to honoring its spiritual foundations while charting a path forward under the guidance of its monarchy.