Thimpu, Bhutan - Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk on Thursday was crowned Bhutan's fifth dragon king in a lavish ceremony in the capital of the tiny Himalayan nation, becoming the world's youngest head of state.

Oxford-educated Jigme Kehsar, 28, took over the kingship from his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, 53.

Sounds of gongs and Buddhist chants echoed in the majestic white-walled Golden Throne Room at Tashichhidzong, a fortress that is now the seat of the Bhutanese government as the king was crowned in a ceremony attended by the royal family, government officials and a host of foreign dignitaries, the IANS news agency reported.

Buddhist monks chanted ceremonial hymns after traditional ritual offerings to the new king in the form of eight auspicious articles - a mirror, medicine, curd, incense, fruit, a conch shell, vermilion and mustard.

Another round of offerings followed of objects symbolizing devotion, valour, truth and wisdom.

The traditional Buddhist rituals were to be followed by felicitations by more than 20,000 people at the new ceremonial ground in Thimpu.

Large numbers of Bhutanese people lined the streets outside the fortress dressed in colourful, traditional robes waiting for a glimpse of the new king.

Jigme Khesar has been in office since late 2006 when his popular father announced he was abdicating in favour of his son and at the same time transforming the country from an absolute monarchy into a democracy. Astrologers fixed Thursday for his formal coronation, divining it as an auspicious date.

"I am delighted to be part of history as I witnessed the coronation procession of the fourth king and now I am again waiting to see the new king later at a public function," Karma Choden, an elderly woman, was quoted as saying as she waited outside the fortress counting beads and chanting a silent prayer.

The new king and his father are known for mingling with commoners and even walking down city and village streets.

Bhutan declared three days of national celebrations following Thursday's ceremony.

Parliamentary elections took place in March for the first time in Bhutan's history. Bhutan, the world's youngest democracy, is the last monarchy in South Asia.

Jigme Khesar, under the new political system, would not have the same absolute powers as his predecessors but was expected to play a significant role as a symbol of unity and mentor in the transition to democracy.

"This coronation is significant as it marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Bhutan's history as the people has great hope and confidence in the new king," Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley was quoted as saying after the coronation ceremony.

Jigme Khesar is the son of the third of Jigme Singye's four wives, all of them sisters. He completed his education at schools in the United States and Britain's Oxford University and also did a stint at an academy for military officers in India.

Bhutan is about the same size as Switzerland and has 700,000 inhabitants. The mountain kingdom, which is largely isolated from the rest of the world, is located in the Himalayas between China and India. (dpa)