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108 stupas, more than 115,000 registered attendees and one extraordinary day. A remarkable initiative that tells us something about the spirit of Bhutan.
There are countless reasons why Bhutan is such a fascinating country. Its spectacular Himalayan landscapes, rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted Buddhist traditions and, above all, its people make the Land of the Thunder Dragon a truly special place.
One of our greatest hopes for the Bhutan Ultra is that, over the years to come, it will introduce many people to this extraordinary country. Of course, the race is about running, adventure and challenging yourself. But we also hope that participants will discover something beyond the trails: a country whose traditions, values and people leave a lasting impression.
This is why we would occasionally like to share stories about Bhutan that have little or nothing to do with our race. Stories that help our readers discover and understand the country a little better.
And there could hardly be a more fitting story to begin with than Project 108.
108 Chortens in a Single Day
On November 1, 2026, Bhutan is preparing to undertake something truly remarkable.
In Gelephu Mindfulness City, in the south of the country, thousands of volunteers will come together to raise 108 Jangchub Chortens (Buddhist stupas) in a single day.
Each chorten will stand 15 metres tall. They will be arranged 108 metres apart, following the Mau Chhu River for nearly 12 kilometres.
The project was announced by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on February 21, 2026, and has since developed into an extraordinary national undertaking.
Initially, approximately 40,000 construction volunteers were expected to participate. But the initiative has attracted an even larger response. By October 16, 115,206 people had registered to attend the historic gathering, including those who will witness and support the event.
Of course, the entire project is not being built from scratch in a single day. Preparations, earthworks, foundations, material deliveries and volunteer training have been underway for months. The extraordinary challenge is to raise all 108 structures together on November 1.
And while the scale of the undertaking is impressive, it is only part of what makes this initiative so special.
What is a Chorten, and why 108?
A chorten, known as a stupa in other Buddhist traditions, is a sacred Buddhist monument. Chortens often contain prayers, sacred texts and relics, and serve as places for reflection, devotion and spiritual practice.
Anyone travelling through Bhutan will encounter them: beside roads, near monasteries, on mountain passes and in villages. They are an unmistakable part of the country’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
The number 108 has profound spiritual significance in Buddhism. Traditional prayer beads, known as malas, commonly contain 108 beads, and the number is closely associated with spiritual practice, purification and the path towards enlightenment.
The Jangchub Chortens being built in Gelephu are particularly meaningful. They represent the Buddha’s enlightenment and are intended as lasting symbols of wisdom, compassion and spiritual aspiration.
But Project 108 is about much more than constructing religious monuments. It is also about the extraordinary things people can accomplish when they work together for a common purpose.
The spirit behind the project
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Project 108 is not the construction itself, but the people who are making it possible.
Bhutan has a longstanding tradition of voluntary community service known as zhabto. People contribute their time, skills and physical effort to projects that benefit their communities, often without expecting anything in return.
For Project 108, people from very different backgrounds are joining forces. Students, farmers, professionals, monks, retirees and Bhutanese living abroad are among those contributing their time and energy.
The project brings together people of different generations and backgrounds, united by a shared sense of purpose.
It is also part of the wider vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City, an ambitious development initiative intended to combine economic progress with Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural values, environmental responsibility and human wellbeing.
What makes Project 108 so remarkable is that it brings together ancient traditions and a vision for the future.
The result will be a line of sacred monuments stretching across the landscape. But perhaps the greater achievement will be the cooperation, dedication and sense of community that made their construction possible.
A remarkable expression of unity
When announcing Project 108, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck spoke about the importance of standing together and demonstrating what can be accomplished through collective effort.
That message lies at the heart of this initiative.
Building 108 stupas in a single coordinated day is an enormous logistical challenge. But it is also a powerful symbolic gesture: thousands of people contributing to something that will remain long after the day itself has passed.
In a world where we so often hear about conflict, division and disagreement, there is something deeply encouraging about a project that brings so many people together in a spirit of cooperation, faith and goodwill.
And perhaps that is one of the most meaningful aspects of the entire undertaking.
Following from afar
Personally, I find this project absolutely fascinating.
Having spent time in Bhutan and experienced some of the warmth, generosity and hospitality of its people, I would love to be there on November 1, roll up my sleeves and contribute in some small way.
Unfortunately, that will not be possible. Instead, I will follow the event from a distance, with great interest and admiration.
I wish everyone involved, from the organisers and volunteers to the communities supporting the project, the very best of luck. I hope November 1 will become an unforgettable day for everyone taking part.
Discover Project 108
If you would like to learn more about this remarkable initiative, we encourage you to visit the official Project 108 website.
There you can discover more about the meaning of the 108 chortens, the preparations and the people involved. You can also register to follow the event through a livestream on November 1, 2026.
Official website: https://108.gmc.bt/
Bhutan Ultra is not affiliated with Project 108. We simply believe it is an extraordinary initiative worth sharing with everyone interested in Bhutan.
