Bhutanese and international devotees unite in a week-long spiritual gathering, coinciding with the 70th birthday of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo
TIL BDR GHALLEY | Thimphu
Before the first rays of sunlight brushed the peaks surrounding Thimphu, streams of devotees wound their way toward Chamlingthang.
Cloaked in vibrant robes and clutching prayer beads tightly in their palms, they moved with quiet purpose, their breath visible in the crisp November air.
By sunrise, the grounds had transformed into a vast tapestry of devotion—soft chants mingling with whispered prayers, while the flickering glow of butter lamps cast gentle light across thousands of focused faces.
From 4 to 10 November 2025, Chamlingthang became the heart of a global spiritual gathering.
The Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) drew participants from every dzongkhag of Bhutan and visitors from across Asia, Europe, and beyond, all united by a single intention: to nurture harmony, compassion, and peace.
The atmosphere was alive yet serene, a reminder that devotion, when shared, can ripple far beyond the boundaries of any single valley.
Coinciding with the 70th birthday of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, adding a historic dimension to the spiritual gathering.
The event was graced by His Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, members of the Royal Family, and His Holiness the Je Khenpo, whose presence imbued the festival with profound sanctity.
At the core of the festival was the Kalachakra Tantra, one of the highest teachings in Vajrayana Buddhism, regarded as a messenger of peace, compassion, harmony, and wisdom.
Prime Minister Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay explained the global significance of the event: “We have reached out to spiritual leaders, monks, and accomplished practitioners throughout the world, particularly in Vajrayana, Mahayana, and Theravada Buddhism, along with Hindu spiritual masters. All congregated for one purpose: to offer prayers for global peace.”
For many attendees, the festival was more than ritual—it was a pilgrimage of body and spirit. Karma Dorji, a monk from Trongsa, reflected, “When I arrived here, I felt an immediate calm. Every prayer uttered here lifts a weight from the world.”
Dorji Tshering, 52, from Mongar, added, “Seeing thousands united in prayer—it feels like a light has touched our land.”
Phurba, 88, from Tsirang, said, “I came to the GPPF to witness and receive blessings from great spiritual leaders from across the world. I wanted to be part of this historic act of devotion.”
Elderly devotees traveled extraordinary distances, their journeys marked by both physical endurance and spiritual dedication.
Tashi Dorji, 78, from Zhemgang, said, “I’ve witnessed many religious ceremonies, but nothing compares to this. Waking at 12 mid night and walking through cold night to reach Chamlingthang reminded me that devotion requires effort—and the reward is a heart at peace.”
Pema Lhamo, 60, from Bumthang, added, “I came here with my grandson. When I chant, I feel as though I’m reconnecting with every prayer I ever offered in my life. And seeing him participate fills me with hope for the future.”
For Bhutanese families, the festival was an opportunity to instill values of compassion and mindfulness across generations.
Tashi Choden, a mother of three from Chukha, said, “Every evening, as the chants rise, my children close their eyes and smile. They feel the peace that so many of us long for. I want them to carry these values throughout their lives.”
Some participants sought solace from personal struggles.
Phuntsho Wangdi, 43, from Thimphu, shared, “I have battled anxiety for years. Sitting here among so many people who share the same intention, I finally feel relief. Peace doesn’t feel so distant anymore.”
Children contributed their innocent voices to the chants, creating a melody that seemed to touch every heart.
Sonam Dema, 35 from Sipsu, Samtse, said, “Even the youngest hearts carry powerful intentions. Their prayers remind us that peace begins within and grows outward.”
International devotees joined physically and virtually, bridging continents through shared intention.
Anuron Choudhari, from India, said, “Even from afar, I feel part of this community. Bhutan shows what it truly means to pray for all beings.”
A visitor from Thailand added, “Being surrounded by devotion and mountains, peace felt tangible. This is a living example of compassion in action.”
Tandin Wangmo, 25, from Samtse, added, “This festival taught me that peace isn’t just a wish—it’s a practice, built in each mindful action, each prayer, each intention.”
By the final day, Chamlingthang had become more than a prayer ground, it had transformed into a living testament to devotion, unity, and hope.
The chants, prayers, and collective silence of thousands left an imprint that extended far beyond the valley, proving that shared intention can foster global harmony.
“In a world that often feels divided,” karma Tshewang a devotee from Tsirang said “these prayers remind us that peace is cultivated one heart, one mind, and one action at a time.”
For those who traveled from far corners of Bhutan, for children discovering the power of prayer, and for elders reconnecting with decades of devotion, Chamlingthang became a place where hope, faith, and intention intertwined, proving that even the smallest acts of faith can create waves of peace across the world.
