| Her
Majesty Gayum Phuntsho Choden |
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Bhutan Royal Family |
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Bhutan
bids farewell to Gayum Kudroe
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Her
late Majesty
Gayum
Phuntsho Choden
1911-2003 |
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October
18 2003
The
sacred purjang ceremony of the late Gayum Kudroe, Her Majesty Ashi Phuntsho
Choden Wangchuck, was held at the Kurje Lhakhang in Bumthang, attended
by His Majesty the King, the royal family, and thousands of people from
all parts of the country and from overseas. |
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The
purjang ceremony was taking place at the historical nye
Kurje
Lhakhang, Bumthang
Photo:
Kuensel
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| Purjang
ceremony |
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The
purjang ceremony was taking place at the sacred historical nye, Kurje Lhakhang
in Bumthang.
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| Led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, His Holiness the Je Thrizur,
the four lopons of the central monk body, as well as Gangtoe Trulku, Thuksey
Rinpoche, and Sungtruel Rinpoche, more than 440 monks are performing the
ceremony from four directions, facing the Purkhang. The liturgical ceremonies
began at 4.00 am when Gayum Kudroe's kudung was escorted from the Guru
Lhakhang to the purkhang by the royal family, accompanied by a serdang
ceremony by the monks of Choetse rabdey. |
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The
Purjang ceremony (enflaming of the kudung) is being performed in a special
Purdung Jangchub Chhorten (traditional pyre) constructed for Gayum Kudroe.
With the prime minister, representing the government, the chief justice
representing the judiciary and the speaker of the National Assembly, representing
the legislature, hundreds of Bhutanese dignitaries have also attending
the purjang in their personal capacities along with thousands of well wishers
from all parts of the country.
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The
purthey (ashes) of Gayum Kudroe will be immersed in the river next day
followed by the jabchho (concluding ritual ceremony) which will be performed
by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, His Holiness the Je Thrizur, the four Lopons
and monks.
top
| Gayum
Kudroe's Kudung way to Bumthang |
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On
October 13, 2003 the kudung was seen off from the Dechenchholing Gonpaby His Majesty the King and Their Majesties the Queens. The kudung was
received at Tashichhodzong by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the four lopons,
and senior officials. The Je Khenpo offered prayers and transferred the
Godar from the kudung to the Tashichhodzong, symbolising Gayum Kudroe's
prayers for the well being of the people and country.
The
kudung was seen off by thousands of people from all cross sections of Thimphu's
population who lined the roads. At the Dochula pass cabinet ministers,
councilors, dzongkhag officials, and well wishers received the kudung.
The kudung stayed overnight in Wangduephodrang where thousands of people
paid their last respects. The monks of the Wangduephodrang rabdey also
performed the Gongdue Tshokhor for the late Gayum Kudroe.
The
Kudung rested briefly at the Thruepang Palace in Trongsa where Her Majesty
gave birth to the third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
People from the five geogs of Trongsa dzongkhag came to offer their prayers
and pay homage to the late Gayum Kudroe.
Gayum
Kudroe's last journey was a deeply emotional experience for tens of thousands
of people who lined the national highway, from Thimphu to Bumthang, prostrating,
offering prayers, lighting incense, holding flowers, many of them in tears.
The
kudung was received in traditional ceremony by the rabdey of Jakar dzong and the dzongkhag officials at Kurje Lhakhang on October 14, 2003 Gayum
Kudroe's kudung was placed in the main Guru Lhakhang in Kurje, for three
days. The monks of Jakar and Choetse rabdeys performed the zhithro kangsha
(ritual for clearing of defilements), the dragmar (a ritual to Guru Kilaya).
They also performed the thuji chhenpo dungye rangdroel, a ritual to Chenrezig
(Avalokitesvara).
The
government has announced that schools and businesses will be closed to
mark the purjang ceremony and to enable people who are not able to attend
the purjang to offer butter lamps and prayers wherever they are and at
lhakangs around the country.
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