Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo in Bhutan in 2025

Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo in Bhutan in 2025
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck on Banknote from Bhutan Image via © Deposit Photos
  How long until Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo?
Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo
  Dates of Birth Anniversary of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo in Bhutan
2026 Bhutan Sat, May 2 National Holiday
2025 Bhutan Fri, May 2 National Holiday
2024 Bhutan Thu, May 2 National Holiday
2023 Bhutan Tue, May 2 National Holiday
2022 Bhutan Mon, May 2 National Holiday
  Summary

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who began Bhutan's first steps toward modernisation, was born on May 2nd 1929.

  Local name
Lhabab Duechen

When is the Birth Anniversary of Third King?

The Birth Anniversary of Third King is a national holiday in the Kingdom of Bhutan on May 2nd each year.

This holiday honours the King who took Bhutan's first steps toward modernisation, who was born on this day in 1929.

History of the Birth Anniversary of Third King

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was born on May 2nd 1929. He ruled Bhutan as the Third Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) for twenty years from March 1952 until his death at the age of 43 from a heart condition in July 1972.

Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck is known as the Father of Modern Bhutan as he is credited with opening Bhutan to the outside world and beginning the modernisation of the Kingdom. 

He is revered for bringing modernity to the Himalayan Kingdom while preserving Bhutanese culture.

He also initiated reforms that led a shift away from Bhutan being an absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy.

"This is the 20th century," the king once told a group of visiting Americans. "We are working to make sure that Bhutan truly belongs to this century."

May 2nd is also celebrated as Teachers’ Day in Bhutan because it was the Third Druk Gyalpo who established a modern educational system in the country.


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