Among the first to reach the Tashichho Dzong courtyard, braving extremely chilly winds, were the Royal grandmother and the Queen mothers.

As the dignitaries took positions, heroes of 'Bji-bi-Pawos' performed a colourful masked dance amid chanting of hymns and blowing of trumpets.

The monks then commenced the coronation process. The Raven Crown was raised from the altar and delivered to the fourth king who held it until the appropriate moment after which the fifth king ascended the Supreme Golden Throne.

Before the ceremony concluded offerings of empowerment were made by Je Khenpo, or chief abbot, to the new king.

Bhutan saw last coronation nearly 35 years ago in 1974, when the fourth King Jigme Singey Wangchuk was crowned.

The coronation of the fifth King comes barely six months after Bhutan's historic first democratic election which saw the installation of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) government headed by Jigme Y Thinley.

The largely Buddhist kingdom has marched towards democracy after former King's sudden decision in 2006 to abdicate the throne in favour of his eldest son and announce parliamentary elections to change with the time and relinquish absolute rule.

"The best time to change a political system is when the country enjoys stability and peace," Bhutan's former king had said when he began the democratic reform process in 2005.

The crowning of the new king has capped an effort by the Bhutanese royals to survive by bringing in a fresh face and ending their absolute power over the Buddhist country.