The last Coronation Bhutan saw was nearly 35 years ago in 1974, when the Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singey Wangchuk was crowned at the age of 17. In his coronation address, King Jigme Singey Wangchuk had said: “The future of the nation lies in the hands of the people.”

It is appropriate that the Coronation of the Fifth King should come barely six months after Bhutan’s historic first democratic election.

The Coronation reinforces Bhutan’s abiding faith in hereditary monarchy - the ultimate symbol of status and authority that the Bhutanese people know, and acknowledge with dignity and reverence. But it comes with a commitment and an urge to reform. King-in-Waiting His Majesty Jigme Khesar has been as steadfastly loyal to the path of change as his predecessor King Jigme Singye Wangchuk.

An possible indication of the commitment to democracy can be seen in the absence of royals from other countries among the invitees to the Coronation, done reportedly in accordance with the wishes of His Majesty. A lack of infrastructure to accommodate a large number of dignitaries was stated as a reason for keeping the list of royal guests short.

India will be represented by President Pratibha Patil and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, apart from several cultural troupes. According to unconfirmed reports, Rahul Gandhi could also attend the ceremonies of November 6 and 7.

Coronation Celebration Committee officials say the festivities would continue for 42 days, culminating on December 17. A group of royal astrologers decided the dates, and His Majesty travelled yesterday to Punakha to receive a “sacred dhar” (cloth) from a royal priest. A series of ceremonies are lined up at the Tashichhodzong Tendrel Thang ( Bhutanese National Assembly) and the Changlimthang ground.

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, father of King-in-Waiting Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, announced in December 2005 his decision to step down in favour of his son. A decree announcing Bhutan would become a democracy followed, and the general election of March 2008 saw the installation of the country’s first democratically-elected government.

Despite apprehensions about the transition among many in Bhutan, King Jigme Singye has stuck to his position. A senior Bhutanese bureaucrat said: “The transition that the country is passing through is unprecedented and would help the Bhutanese people to graduate from a secretive, protected community to a global community. These steps indicate the Kingdom’s final farewell to self-imposed isolation.”

(Subrata Nagchoudhury will be covering the Coronation ceremony for The Indian Express from Bhutan)