Bhutan National Day

Bhutan National Day

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  1. 1907Ugyen Wangchuck crowned as Bhutan's first hereditary king
  2. 2008Bhutan becomes a constitutional monarchy with elections
  3. 1974King Jigme Singye Wangchuck opens Bhutan wider to the world

The story behind the day

17 December marks the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as Bhutan's first hereditary king in 1907. The date is Bhutan's National Day because it created the modern monarchy that unified the country and still anchors public identity.

The day became the central national celebration in a country where monarchy, Buddhism and statehood are closely linked. Later reforms turned Bhutan into a constitutional monarchy, but National Day still revolves around royal presence and the continuity of the Wangchuck dynasty.

Today National Day is marked with a major public ceremony, royal address, prayers, dances, awards and flags, often at a stadium or dzong. Visitors see gho and kira dress, monastic rituals, archery culture and mountain-backed pageantry.

Across Bhutan, the day is dignified rather than loud. Families watch broadcasts, gather in local towns, wear national dress and share ema datshi, rice, tea and butter-laced hospitality.

  1. 202617 December 2026 · Thursday
  2. 202717 December 2027 · Friday
  3. 202817 December 2028 · Sunday
The Bhutanese flag
Bhutan flag

The Bhutanese flag is divided diagonally yellow and orange, with a white dragon holding jewels. Yellow represents the king's secular authority, orange the Buddhist tradition, and the dragon Druk, the Thunder Dragon, symbolises Bhutan itself. The jewels represent wealth and security.

Bhutanese food is chilli-forward, warming and mountain-based, with cheese, rice, buckwheat, pork, dried meat and butter tea central to meals.

What to eat

Ema datshiChilli and cheese stew, widely treated as Bhutan's national dish.
Phaksha paaPork cooked with chillies, radish or greens for hearty meals.
Jasha maruSpicy minced chicken stew with tomato, garlic and ginger.
Red riceNutty Bhutanese rice grown in high valleys and served with curries.
MomosSteamed dumplings filled with meat or cheese and served with chilli.
KhapseFried biscuits prepared for festive and religious occasions.

What to drink

SujaButter tea with salt, central to highland hospitality.
AraTraditional distilled or fermented grain drink served in some homes.
NgajaSweet milk tea common in towns and family settings.
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Bhutan culture

Bhutanese culture is shaped by Vajrayana Buddhism, monarchy, mountain valleys, dzongs, national dress and the idea of Gross National Happiness.

Royal addressThe king's National Day speech is the ceremony's emotional centre.
Dzong ceremoniesFortress-monasteries frame public ritual and state authority.
ArcheryThe national sport brings competition, song and community pride.
Cham dancesMasked Buddhist dances appear at festivals and ceremonial events.