A Vision Becomes Reality

On 21 February 2026, during the fifth Zhabtog Programme in Gelephu Mindfulness City, His Majesty the King announced an ambitious undertaking: to construct 108 Jangchub Chortens in a single day.

“It is an ambitious undertaking that demands courage, unity, and deep commitment. We must do it to prove to ourselves that, as we face the challenges ahead, there is no limit to what we can achieve when we stand together.”

His Majesty the King

Just over eight months later, this vision is becoming a reality.

Along the Mau Chhu in Gelephu Mindfulness City, 108 chortens, each 15 metres tall and spaced 108 metres apart, will form a remarkable procession of sacred monuments stretching across a 12-kilometre corridor. On 1 November 2026, tens of thousands of volunteers are expected to come together to raise the chortens in a single day and offer collective prayers.

The Spiritual Significance

A Jangchub Chorten, meaning Stupa of Enlightenment, commemorates the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment. In Bhutan, a chorten is much more than a monument. It is a sacred vessel containing prayers, texts, relics and consecrated materials. To make offerings, pray or walk around a chorten is considered an act of devotion and merit.

The number 108 carries deep spiritual significance, particularly in Buddhism. A prayer mala traditionally has 108 beads for counting prayers and mantras, while the Kangyur, the collection of the Buddha's teachings, is traditionally organised into 108 volumes. The number is also associated with the afflictive emotions that practitioners seek to overcome on the path to enlightenment.

The significance of 108 also recalls an ancient Buddhist tradition. It is believed that in the 7th century AD, Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built 108 temples across the Himalayas in a single day. Two of the temples were built in Bhutan: Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang.

The Power of Collective Prayers

The significance of the 108 Jangchub Chortens lies not only in their spiritual meaning or extraordinary scale, but also in the collective effort that has brought them to this point. In just over eight months, people have contributed their time, skills, energy and resources to make the vision possible. Each contribution, whether through physical work, offerings or prayers, has become part of a shared endeavour.

In Buddhism, collective prayer brings people together in a common aspiration for peace, harmony and the well-being of all sentient beings. It reminds us that our prayers and actions can extend beyond ourselves and become offerings for the benefit of others.

Through Yoeja , Bhutan's age-old tradition of making offerings to sustain the monastic community and ensure the continuation of sacred prayers, people can contribute to this collective aspiration wherever they may be.

The raising of the 108 chortens on 1 November coincides with the celebration of His Majesty the King's Coronation Day and Lhabab Düchen, the sacred day commemorating the Buddha's descent from the heavenly realm. It will be a historic moment, uniting national celebration, spiritual devotion and collective aspiration.

When the 108 chortens rise, they will stand as enduring symbols of faith and Bhutan's living Buddhist heritage. But they will also tell another story: of what becomes possible when people come together with a shared purpose.

The 108 Jangchub Chortens stand as a powerful reminder that when we work together, guided by a common aspiration, there is no limit to what we can achieve.