Witness History: 108 Chortens Rise in Gelephu on November 1

On November 1, 2026, Bhutan will do something never attempted before. In a single day, 108 Jangchub Chortens, the Stupas of Enlightenment, will be raised together in Gelephu Mindfulness City in southern Bhutan.

Project 108 is a royal initiative of His Majesty The King. Each chorten stands 15 metres tall, and they are placed 108 metres apart in one continuous line along the Mau Chhu river, forming a sacred corridor more than 11 kilometres long. Around 40,000 volunteers are expected to work side by side to complete them. Monks have spent months preparing the sacred relics (zung) that will be placed inside each chorten.

For Buddhists, 108 is a deeply meaningful number. It represents the 108 afflictions that cloud the mind and the 108 volumes of the Kangyur, the Buddha’s teachings. To be present as all 108 chortens rise is a rare chance to share in a great act of collective merit.

You are invited. Bhutan welcomes you to join in Gelephu to witness the raising of the chortens. You will also have the chance to meet many Buddhist masters from around the world who are coming to attend this historic event. Volunteer places are granted only in special cases, so we cannot guarantee one. With only a few weeks to go, please contact us soon to reserve your place.
You can visit 108 GMC – Gelephu Mindfulness City website for details to register for visit and volunteer.

Spiritual leaders expected to attend

His Holiness the Je Khenpo – the head abbot of Bhutan
His Holiness Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche
His Holiness Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje
His Holiness Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje
His Eminence the 7th Yongzin Ling Rinpoche
Phra Kruba Boonchum
Choje Lama Wangchuk Topden
Bokar Khenchen Lodoe Thonyor Rinpoche
Chogtrul Jigme Tenzin Rinpoche
Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche
His Eminence Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche
His Eminence Khyungtrul Rinpoche
Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche
Sungtrul Rinpoche
Thuksey Trulku Rinpoche
His Eminence Khambo Lama Tsyren Dondukbaev (Russia)
Venerable Dr. Phra Bhodhinandhamunee (Thailand)