Gelephu is preparing for the completion of 108 Jangchub Chortens, a Buddhist construction project that will attract more than 200,000 visitors on 1 November 2026. The town is deploying free buses and taxis to manage the flow of people between campsites, parking areas, surrounding communities and the event grounds. The royal family—King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema and their children—has been in Gelephu Mindfulness City in the days leading up to the event. Buddhist teachers, international guests and visitors from across Bhutan are also expected to attend. The 108 chortens, each 15 metres tall, will be spaced 108 metres apart along a roughly 12‑kilometre corridor beside the Mao Chhu. Trained construction teams are completing the structures, while most visitors will observe the work from designated public areas and participate in prayer rather than entering the construction sites. Project 108 coincides with the Descending Day of the Buddha, an important date in the Buddhist calendar that commemorates the Buddha’s return from a heavenly realm after teaching his mother. The chortens, known internationally as Stupas of Enlightenment, commemorate the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment. Free shuttle services began on 30 October. Sixteen buses operate from 8 am to 9 pm, departing roughly every 20 minutes on five routes that connect Gelephu town with Lodari, Phurpa Lhakhang, Dechenpelri, Pemathang Chorten and Yangtsholing Tara. The services aim to reduce private vehicle use and help visitors travel between accommodation and designated transport points. On the main event day, more than 130 buses will operate. Services from designated bus stands start at 12:30 am and continue until 9 am, then resume from 3 pm to 9 pm. On 2, 3 and 4 November, morning services run from 5:30 am to 10 am, with afternoon and evening services from 3 pm to 9 pm. Each bus will have an official or volunteer to assist passengers and support crowd management. Eighteen bus terminals and 34 taxi stands have been identified across Gelephu and surrounding areas, including Sarpang, Umling and Chhuzergang. Special transport arrangements are being made for people aged 65 and older and for people with disabilities. Eligible passengers may travel with a companion or caregiver and will be dropped closer to their designated public gathering areas, referred to as “zeerays” in the event guidance. Visitors requiring assistance should follow the directions of transport officials and volunteers at the bus terminals and taxi stands. More than 1,600 taxis have volunteered to provide free service beginning the evening of 31 October. These taxis will supplement the bus network and connect designated parking areas, accommodation sites and event transport points. Private vehicle movement within Gelephu will be restricted during the gathering; drivers are directed to use assigned parking areas and then travel by shuttle bus or taxi. Visitors traveling through Assam can enter via a temporary Hatisar immigration post, which will facilitate eligible international travel during the event period. Spiritual preparations for the project were completed at all 108 sites. Bhutan’s chief abbot, the Je Khenpo, presided over the Sri‑Non ritual at the chorten sites on 28 October. The Sri‑Non, a Buddhist ritual intended to subdue harmful influences and remove obstacles before construction or consecration, was performed at Chorten Nos 1 to 3 by the Je Khenpo and at Chorten No 108 by Dorji Lopen, one of Bhutan’s senior monastic teachers. Senior monastic officials and ritual masters conducted the rites at the remaining sites. The ceremony followed a three‑day Sri Drub at Sarpang Dzong that began on 24 October, with the Je Khenpo and 50 drubpoens (Buddhist ritual masters) leading the prayers. Together, the Sri Drub and Sri‑Non completed the formal spiritual preparations for the sites. People who cannot travel to Gelephu will be able to watch the completion of Project 108 through an official livestream on 1 November. Viewers can register on the Project 108 website to receive broadcast information. A toll‑free number, 108, is available for questions about transport, directions, accommodation and event arrangements. With more than 200,000 people expected, visitors are advised to allow additional travel time, follow official traffic directions and use the free public transport provided. The scale of the gathering will test Gelephu’s transport, accommodation, sanitation and public‑safety systems, and will bring together months of construction, religious preparation and volunteer work when the 108 chortens are completed on 1 November.
Article source: Daily Bhutan | Image credit: Daily Bhutan