The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Preparations are on full swing to celebrate the 117th National Day on 17th December with communities across the country working tirelessly to ensure the occasion is memorable for all.
The urban centers to remote villages in Bhutan are being transformed for the National Day.
In towns and villages, beautification efforts are in full swing, with local businesses and residents playing key roles in creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Dagana Dzongda Tashi Tobgay shared that the local business community in Dagana has organized a large-scale gardening and plantation initiative. The town has been divided into five zones, where flowers and greenery are being planted to brighten the area. “Monuments and chortens across several Gewogs are also being freshly painted. Tshendagang Gewog is hosting a 4-kilometer marathon and a Khuru competition to add excitement to the celebration,” said the Dzongda.
Dzongda Kezang Jigme, mentioned that a free lottery has been introduced to encourage community participation.
The event will also showcase cultural performances, including traditional dances by local school students and Dzongkhag dancers performing traditional mask dances.
In Dagana, a new addition to the celebrations this year is the Daga Throm Festival, which runs from 13th – 17th December.
The Dzongda emphasized, “The Daga Throm Festival will bring together locals and visitors alike, offering a variety of cultural performances and food stalls from local businesses.”
In a significant display of devotion, 108 Lungdar are being installed along the ridge from the Dzong gate to Gophu Lhakhang in Dagana. This initiative, dedicated to His Majesty, aims to remove obstacles and accumulate merit. “The Lungdar project symbolizes our deep devotion and gratitude to His Majesty,” shared the Dzongda.
The business community in Zhemgang has been active in adding to the festive mood by planting flowers and greenery in key areas. The town’s amphitheater will serve as a central hub for cultural performances and movie screenings.
“We’ve planned special decorations, including lighting and stage setups at the amphitheater, which will host cultural performances on 16th December and a movie screening on 17th December,” explained the Dzongda.
According to Minjur Dorji, the Dzongda of Samtse, preparations for the 117th National Day celebrations in Samtse are well underway. The main celebration will be held at the dzongkhag football ground. In the spirit of community involvement, a mass cleaning program is also scheduled.
“As part of the beautification effort, national flags will be hoisted on all streetlight posts across the town, with households and shops also displaying the flag in a show of national pride,” said the Dzongda, and also added, “The Dzongkhag Youth Entrepreneur Group will be setting up stalls from 15th – 17th December to showcase the innovative products of local startups.”
He also highlighted the cultural richness of the celebrations, which will include a reality show performance by a group of artists from Thimphu on 16th December.
Meanwhile, the Dratshang will conduct Kurims, and a newly completed Chorten will be inaugurated to mark the occasion.
The celebration will also involve dignitaries, with Indian counterparts and other officials invited to join in the national festivities.
Similarly, Gasa is buzzing with preparations to celebrate 117th National Day.
On 3rd December, residents, schools, Gewogs, and local institutions actively participated in a mass cleanup, ensuring the town is ready for the occasion.
A significant part of the preparations includes the restoration of the historic Sang-lam trail below Gasa Dzong.
This collaborative effort between the Dzongkhag Administration, the Rabdhey Dratshang, and local Gewogs ensures that the trail is now open for public use.
“We are offering butter lamps and prayers to show our gratitude and support for His Majesty,” said the Gasa Dzongda Jigme Namgyel.
This year, Gasa introduced new initiatives to mark National Day. Among them is a literary competition, open to both students and the public, encouraging participants to submit works that align with the themes of National Day. The top entries will be shared through the Dzongkhag’s social media pages.
In addition, a TikTok music video competition invites residents to submit 60-second videos that reflect the spirit of the National Day celebrations.
“In recognition of healthy living, the Dzongkhag will honor the oldest male and female residents who are free from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by presenting them with cash prizes. This initiative encourages healthy living and celebrates those who maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said the Dzongda.
In Haa, preparations for the 117th National Day celebrations are underway despite challenges posed by the weather.
According to the Haa Dzongda, Melam Zangpo, while the town’s beautification efforts couldn’t take place due to the climate, significant progress has been made with tree planting. “We have planted more than 200 trees as part of the event,” said the Dzongda.
A special cleaning campaign is also planned, with the dzongkhag set to clean starting from Chelela to Haa in preparation for the occasion. In addition, a lottery will be held during the celebrations, offering a free opportunity for all to participate.
One of the most anticipated highlights of the celebration is the display of the Thongdrel of Zhabdrung Rinpoche for the first time.
