Bhutan Photo Trip - A Land of Mystical Rituals

The small monarchical country of Bhutan is located in the Himalayas west of Nepal, its population is about 700 thousand inhabitants. A few years ago, in the kingdom, the marriage ceremony of the ruler Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk with a young 21-year-old commoner named Jetsun Pema took place. The previous ruler of the state held rather strict, traditional views, but after he renounced the throne in 2006, the first parliamentary elections were organized in Bhutan and the country was called one of the happiest in the world. The newly-made king graduated from Oxford and with all his might began to try to strengthen foreign policy relations, while not forgetting about maintaining the independence and cultural features of his state.
The royal wedding was held in a big way, it seemed that absolutely every resident sought to take part in it at least.

A Buddhist monk in Bhutan prepares for a dance rehearsal before the king’s wedding day.

The owners of one of the local shops in the capital Thimphu are going to hang on the window a large poster of the king and his future wife.

Bhutanese girls in national costumes at a wedding rehearsal.

This is what traditional shoes look like. The shoemaker exhibits it in his workshop in Thimphu.

In Punakha, the dancers are waiting for the king, who is due to arrive at the wedding ceremony. The wedding itself took place in the historical fortress of Punakha Dzong, the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk was also held here.

Residents of Bhutan and tourists at the main stadium of the capital at the last dance during the wedding ceremony.

The king and queen are dancing at their wedding.

On the last day of the wedding, about 50 thousand guests and five hundred artists took part in the ceremony.

The sacred dance of Buddhist monks performed during a wedding ceremony.

People came to see the dancers.

The king kisses his beautiful wife in front of a crowd of thousands.

Residents gathered, preparing to receive their king and his wife.

Schoolgirls rush to see the king and queen of Bhutan, holding national flags in their hands.

In Thimphu, everyone expects the arrival of the main couple of the country.

In Punakha Jigme, Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk and his wife greet their subjects.

Snow-covered, the majestic Buddha statue at Thimphu.

Buddhist monks near the Dechen-Pkhodrang monastery.

During the fire blessing ceremony, the Mevangs, the Bhutanese set fire to a huge gate made of dry grass. If you run through this burning gate, you can free yourself from your sins.

Just half a century ago, the Kingdom of Bhutan was like a medieval country where there are no roads, no normal schools. However, at present, the government has managed to establish good relations with the outside world, provide free medicine and education, and the life expectancy of local residents has increased on average to 66 years.

At the sight of a photographer, students in Thimphu are very happy and smiling.

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