The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As a historic day for Bhutan approaches, residents, local business owners, and authorities in Gelephu are preparing for the monumental erection of 108 15-metre Jangchub Chortens, a sacred initiative set to be completed in a single day.
Local enthusiasm is palpable across the town. Dorji, a resident preparing for the event with his family, shared his sense of anticipation.
“It is an immense blessing that 108 Jangchub Chortens are being built in just one day. With so many venerated spiritual masters and Rinpoches presiding to bestow blessings and empowerments, it will be a deeply sacred occasion for all of us,” he said.
The event has also created a surge in local business activity. A restaurant owner in Gelephu noted that shopkeepers are actively applying for permits to set up food stalls selling homemade snacks during the gathering.
“I cannot wait for the construction of the chortens. It is His Majesty The King’s initiative, and I feel deeply grateful to witness it,” added Lhamo, a local shopkeeper.
Accommodation across Gelephu town has reached capacity as bookings poured in early.
“All our rooms are fully booked. Reservations started coming in as early as May and June,” said Sonam, a hotel owner.
A worker at another local hotel noted that across the town’s 60 to 80 hotels, vacancy inquiries on official group chats go unanswered because every property is full, with some bookings made as early as January.
As of 9th October 2026, a total of 89,375 attendees have registered through the official Project 108 platform. The largest share of registrants comes from Thimphu with over 15,600 registrations, followed by Sarpang with 10,510, and Chukha with more than 6,700. Authorities also anticipate over 1,000 international visitors including important guests.
Authorities also note that the spectator galleries (zeereys) and its areas have been prepared to fit in more than 100,000 people.
To accommodate the influx, event coordinators are arranging diverse lodging and transport options. Through the registration portal, attendees can select from hotels, public halls, guesthouses, schools, or designated campsites. Over 22 campsite locations have been established, offering an estimated capacity for 21,437 campers who can reserve spots directly on the Project 108 website.
Transport planning is similarly intense. Based on registration data, assuming three passengers per vehicle, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) projects around 30,000 incoming vehicles. The RBP has rolled out traffic protocols covering route management, parking designation, and emergency response.
To ease movement within the city, authorities have readied more than 100 public buses and 1,500 taxis. Temporary public facilities, including designated restrooms, parking lots, and spectator galleries (zeereys), are scheduled for completion prior to the start of the event.
The four-day event will commence with the single-day construction of the 108 Jangchub Chortens alongside continuous mani recitations by attendees. Subsequent days will feature sacred empowerments and blessings from spiritual masters, the Tashi Rabney consecration, and mass circumambulation of the newly constructed chortens.
Authorities advise attendees to arrive 5 to 7 days in advance to ease traffic congestion, secure accommodation, and explore ongoing development projects across Gelephu town.
