Across Gelephu Mindfulness City, preparations have entered their final stretch. Authorities estimate that some 200,000 people, from across Bhutan and around the world, will gather for the historic occasion. Hotels are fully booked, tented accommodation has been erected, additional transport services arranged, and health and sanitation facilities expanded. Local stalls and businesses are likewise gearing up to serve the influx of pilgrims, volunteers, officials and guests.

For a town of Gelephu’s size, the scale of the event is unprecedented. Institutions, offices, communities and families from across the country are travelling here to take part, joining Buddhist masters, volunteers and people from all walks of life.

Volunteers and ‘Zhabto’ Drive Project 108 Forward

On the ground, the spirit of voluntary service, known in Bhutan as zhabto, is palpable. Nearly 2,000 volunteers worked across the Project 108 sites today, landscaping the grounds around the 108 chorten sites, labouring at the Zeeray construction sites and camp sites, and hoisting prayer flags. Others cut grass, operated machinery, and cooked and delivered meals and refreshments to those in the field. Volunteers from as far away as Dagana, Tsirang and Zhemgang joined Gelephu locals, while students from schools across the town turned out in large numbers for a day-long cleaning campaign.



Sixteen Bolero pickup trucks arrived today, offered by their owners as zhabto, with another 20 vehicles expected in the coming days. The trucks will remain at the disposal of Project 108 until the programme concludes, transporting materials and supplies from across Bhutan and from India, with owners covering all operating expenses themselves.



Organisers say a considerable amount of work remains with just 4 days to go, and volunteers are welcome every day until November 1, whether for a few hours or several days. Those wishing to take part can call the toll-free number 108.

Main Event Site Takes Shape



At the main event site in Gelephu Mindfulness City, teams are working on the grounds, setting up facilities and putting the finishing touches in place as the Chorten Viewing Area takes shape. In just days, the space will welcome spiritual leaders, devotees and visitors for the raising and consecration of the 108 Jangchub Chortens. Today it is a hive of activity; soon, organisers say, it will be filled with people, prayers and an extraordinary sense of togetherness.

Spiritual Preparations Complete

The spiritual groundwork for the sites has now been laid. His Holiness the Je Khenpo today presided over the Sri-Non ritual at the 108 sites along the Mao River, where the chortens will be raised on November 1. The Sri-Non rite is performed to subdue malevolent forces and avert harm and obstacles at each site. It follows the three-day Sri Drub that His Holiness presided over at Sarpang Dzong from October 24, alongside 50 Drubpoens, to ward off negative influences, clear obstacles and invoke blessings for the project.



At the sites today, His Holiness was joined by Their Eminences the Lop Lhengay, the Drubpoens and the Lam Netens of the Rabdey Dratshangs. His Holiness performed the ritual for Chortens Nos. 1 to 3, while His Eminence the Dorji Lopen performed it for Chorten No. 108. The Lop Lhengay, Drubpoens and Lam Netens conducted the rites for the remaining chortens.

With the Sri Drub and Sri-Non complete, the spiritual preparations for the sites are in place ahead of the raising of the 108 Jangchub Chortens on November 1.

The preparations continue. The anticipation grows. Gelephu is getting ready for 108.

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For more information, visit Project 108

The Buddhist Channel will hosts Jack Huynh's Epic Field Coverage of Project 108: "One Day. 108 Chortens. Forty Thousand Hands." Watch out for it, 1 November 2026. Check out the promo on Project 108 with Jack Huynh