More than 30,000 individuals, including around 2,000 international participants, have registered to take part in the Global Peace Prayer Festival, which commences on Tuesday. Bhutan is hosting the prayer festival, inviting people from across the globe to join in for world peace and harmony.
The gates at venues for the much-awaited spiritual event, Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025, will open at 5 AM on Tuesday.
According to the organisers, more than 150 lams and over 3,000 disciples accompanying them have also confirmed their participation to pray for global peace and unity.
As preparations at the venue near completion, logistics, including food, transportation, and crowd management, have been carefully arranged by the concerned stakeholders.
Bus and taxi services will be available throughout the event, operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Three buses will be stationed at each location.
“Five pick-up and drop-off points have been identified. One is at the Babesa Treatment Plant in the south, which can accommodate around 2,000 vehicles. The others are located at the Yangchenphug School parking area, the Parliament House, the RCSC office, and the Motithang School football ground,” said Colonel Chencho Gyeltshen, Superintendent of Police, Thimphu Traffic Division, RBP.
Considering the large crowd expected during the event, the police, along with more than 2,400 DeSuup volunteers, will be deployed to manage and control the crowd.
“We will offer our services at all times to facilitate visitors’ movement, which will help decongest the entrances and ensure smooth entry and exit. For instance, at Changlimithang alone, there are nine entry and exit gates. In addition, a large number of DeSuup volunteers will assist in crowd management,” said Colonel Chogyel Drukpa, Senior Superintendent of Police, Thimphu Division, RBP.
He added that visitors can call the toll-free number 1307 for assistance during the event.
Additionally, a dedicated medical camp will be set up at each venue to provide immediate care in case of any health emergencies.
Alongside, there will also be side events such as exhibitions, yoga sessions, and prayer recitations at various locations across the capital.
“For the side events, we have various festivals such as tshechu and mask dances. We also have live demonstrations of Zorig Chusum and astrology sessions. Several other side events have been planned, and the details have already been uploaded on our website,” said Yangchen C Rinzin, Media Lead, Global Peace Prayer Festival.
The Global Peace Prayer Festival will feature a week-long Jabzhi Dhoechog, Moenlam Chenmo, Kalachakra empowerment and a four-day nuns’ ordination.
As Thimphu makes its final preparations, the capital stands poised to embrace days filled with devotion, contemplation, and a rare coming together of hearts and minds united in faith and the collective hope for global harmony.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Phub Gyem
