Massive transformations are unfolding in Thimphu ahead of the Global Peace Prayer Festival next month. Among them is the Jabzhi Dhoechog ritual’s main structure, currently under construction at Kuensel Phodrang. In this story, we take you behind the scenes of an extraordinary construction, a scale and effort rarely undertaken in the country.
108 feet in height, as tall as a 10-storey building, Dhoe, the main structure of Jabzhi Dhoechog, is slowly taking shape.
The frames are constructed from metal to withstand the weight and scale of the towering structure.
Next to the main structure stand a hundred life-sized effigies that will surround the giant Dhoe. Works are also ongoing to prepare smaller effigies.
On the other side of the courtyard, another group of monks are carefully sorting and arranging hundreds of dummies representing almost every creature in the animal kingdom – a reminder that the ritual embraces all living beings.
“We have never performed the ritual on such a grand scale in the country, and perhaps, not anywhere else in the world either,” said Sither Gyeltshen, Principal, Pangrizampa College for Astrology, Thimphu.
The construction of the Dhoe started about two months ago. It has involved hundreds of people, ranging from sculptors and tailors to carpenters and monks from Thimphu and nearby districts.
“Around 80 monks from the college were involved in weaving the thread crosses for the main structure. They worked tirelessly from 6 AM to 10 PM every day and took about 45 days to complete the work,” said Sither Gyeltshen, Principal, Pangrizampa College for Astrology, Thimphu.
According to the principal, they used a truckload of threads and fabric bolts for the thread crosses, highlighting the work’s exceptional scope as a rare spiritual and logistical feat.
“We are usually accustomed to weaving smaller thread cross, so working on the larger ones was challenging. Experts from the culture department guided us with the measurements based on modern techniques, and we followed their instructions accordingly,” said Sither Gyeltshen, Principal, Pangrizampa College for Astrology, Thimphu.
The works are on track with the smaller thread cross constructions complete, and preparations of the effigies and representations nearing completion. Currently, a group of monks from the astrology college is weaving thread crosses in the main structure.
Jabzhi Dhoechog will be conducted for a week, from November 4th to 10th, as part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival. The Dorji Lopen of the Central Monastic Body will preside over the ritual.
“As we all know, the world today faces numerous challenges, from pandemics to natural disasters to conflicts among nations. The ritual is performed to ward off such global aversities. It is also to promote the well-being of our country and its people. Besides, it intends to ensure a smooth progress of the ongoing works at GMC and bless the project with success,” said Sither Gyeltshen, Principal, Pangrizampa College for Astrology, Thimphu.
While the ceremony remains sacred and significant, at this stage, with time ticking down, the focus and energy are firmly centred on bringing the towering structure to completion. And when the festival begins, the monument will stand not just as a symbol of artistic mastery but as Bhutan’s offering to the world for lasting global peace and harmony.
Sonam Wangdi
