17 December — His Majesty The King will address the Nation today from the historic Lingkathang at Wangduechhoeling Palace in Bumthang, as Bhutan marks the 118th National Day with reverence, pride, and quiet joy.
From the early hours of the morning, thousands of people gathered on the sacred grounds of Wangduechhoeling, braving the biting winter cold of Bumthang.
Mostly dressed in traditional Bumthap mathra—the distinctive maroon plaid woven from sheep’s wool and woollen thread—both men and women turned the gathering into a living tapestry of history and heritage. The red and maroon striped gho and kira spoke not only of colour and design, but of skill, memory, and identity passed down through generations on traditional looms. Believed to have originated in Kurtoe, the ancestral home of the Wangchuck dynasty, the mathra stood as a quiet symbol of continuity between past and present.
According to local media reports, thousands of spectators arrived at the Lingkathang celebration ground early in the morning, patiently waiting for the festivities to begin, united by a shared sense of gratitude and belonging on one of the most sacred days in Bhutan’s national calendar.
On December 17, 1907, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck ascended the Golden Throne as the First Hereditary King of Bhutan. At the time, the country was fractured by internal strife, war, famine, disease, and deep divisions. Under his farsighted leadership, Bhutan found peace, stability, and unity. More importantly, the people found hope—hope for a future of happiness and prosperity, and the collective will to strive for it together. It is for this reason that the Bhutanese people commemorate December 17 as National Day.
Although the monarchy was established in 1907, Bhutan celebrated National Day for the first time on December 17, 1971, marking the anniversary of the First King’s ascension. The historic celebration was held at Changlimithang, with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, then Crown Prince, participating in the event, as recalled by former Chief Justice Sonam Tobgye.
“This is a special moment for us to celebrate and express our profound gratitude to the Wangchuck dynasty,” said a retired civil servant. “Their enlightened leadership has guided Bhutan’s extraordinary journey of peace, progress, and prosperity. The peace and happiness we enjoy today are the fruits of that legacy.”
As the people of Bhutan anxiously await His Majesty’s address to the Nation from Bumthang—the spiritual heartland of the country—the moment carries deep symbolism. It is a day that reminds the nation not only of its past, but also of its shared responsibility to safeguard its future.
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