Prayers: When day broke in Punakha yesterday, the Punakha dzong reverberated with the sound of Duungs and jalings. A giant thongdrel was hanging from the utse (central tower).

Monks started the Galwang Drupchen at the Goenkhang at 9pm in the evening of February 5. News of The Gyalsey’s birth had reached Punakha by 5am and monks started another kurim, a three-day long Sungchoen for the well being of The Gyalsey, His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen.

Presided by the Dorji Lopon with 140 monks, the dratsang has also started the Goenpoi Wangchen in the Punakha dzong. Dratsang’s administrative officer Lam Sangay said to honour the birth of The Gyalsey, the Zhabdrung Phuensum Tshogpa Thongdrel was unfurled as early as 5am. By 7am, people from across Punakha and Wangdue came to receive blessings.

At the Kuenray (congregation hall), Bumdey Lopon presided over the recitation of Jigten Wangchuk prayers along with 100 monks. At the Machen, Machen Lopon along with 11 monks performed the Zhabdrung Dharnangmi Sungchoen.

At the Utse Goenkhang the Lhamo Tongchen Jatsho prayer was performed and at Tsi-Kuendi, the Tsi Lopon and 11 monks performed the Zhabdrung Dharnangmi Sungchoen, said Lam Sangay.

In Gasa, people from different parts of the country who were there for the hot springs joined Gasa’s civil servants, Rabdey, dzongkhag conservation project staff and workers, business community and local people to celebrate the birth of The Gyalsey.

Celebrations started as early as 4am, yesterday with the display of the Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Phuensum Tshogpa throngdrels at Gasa Tashithongmen dzong.

Dzongdag Dorji Dradhul said the people enjoyed the day with traditional dances and offered a thousand butter lamps. The celebrations concluded with a tea hosted by the Gasa Rabdey.

In Wangduephodrang, the birth of The Gyalsey was welcomed with a Salang Tendral for construction of a choeten at Pelela. The Wangdue Lam Neten graced the Salang Tendrel that was attended by Zimpon-Wom Tashi Penjore. The dzongkhag administration, thromde, rabdey, police, Punatsangchu and dzong reconstruction people in Wangdue also joined the celebration at Pelela.

In Haa, dzongdag Kinzang Dorji said the sacred Chundu Jatsha was performed by the rabdey at lhakhang Karpo from 5.30am and this will continue for three days. Chundu soelkha was also performed at the old Chundu lhakhang at Geychukha.

In Trashigang, led by the Lam Neten, 71 monks are performing Gyenpo Chamdrel and Nyepo Soelkha kurims. At the Rigsum goenpa in Trashiyangtse, 27 monks are also conducting the Sangchoed Kurim for three days. At the Yonphula lhakhang, a four-day long Phurpa Doedjom Namcha and Puthri Torto Kurim have already commenced since February 5. Similarly, monks at Yongla goenpa in Pemagatshel are conducting the Sangchoed Kurim for three days.

Lhuentse dzongkhag offered tokha to thousands of people who came to observe the day.

Presided over by Khoma Rinpoche, Zhudrel Rinpoche and longtruel Rinpoche, monks performed Phurpai Tordhog, Soelkhag and Sang.

Mongar Rabdey performed Soelkha (offering) at the Jigme Namgyel palace also known as Nagtshang Lhakhang for the past 13 days. Zhabdrung Khamsum Zoelnoen and Dungkar Kangsoel will be perfomed for five days as a kurim.

Other ceremonials like Dhokpai Tsedrup, Gompoi Chamdrel soelkha and Kangjur dhaktshar will commence from today at Mongar rabdey.

In the south, Samdrupjongkhar dratshang along with dzongkhag officials offered 1,000 butter lamps with Mari Moenlam for the well being of The Gyalsey and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen. They also conducted “Suwa Serdeang,” a prayer to welcome the birth of the Gyalsey.

The Dratshang will today conduct gyembo chamdra suum thong tsho to thank Bhutan’s protective deities for answering the people’s prayers and keeping both The Gyaltsuen and The Gyalsey healthy and safe.

Led by the Prime Minister, information and communications minister DN Dhungyel, finance minister Namgay Dorji joined the people of Samtse at the consecration of the Shivlaya Mandhir in Samtse. His Majesty The King granted the temple as a Royal Gift to Bhutan’s Hindu community.

“I would like to thank His Majesty The King for gifting such a precious gift to Bhutan’s Hindu community. His Majesty will always remain in the heart of every one for doing such a good deed,” said a Hindu devotee, Karuna Negi.

Kuensel reporters

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