His Holiness the Je Khenpo bestowed sacred blessings upon the Sa Chu Bum Ter for the establishment of the Tara Retreat Centre in Gelephu Mindfulness City today. Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck graced the ceremony.
The sacred ceremony invoked merit, prosperity and auspicious conditions for the establishment of the Tara Retreat Centre. The centre is envisioned as a sacred abode of Jetsun Dolma, dedicated to prayer, meditation and spiritual practice.
Located at Dangling Chiwog under Umling Gewog, the centre will be developed within a sacred landscape inspired by the cosmic Vajra Cross, or Dorji Gyatram.
It will be established under the spiritual guidance of the Laytshog Lopen of the Central Monastic Body.
“The centre will be nothing less than a sacred abode of Jetsun Dolma. All those who visit this holy place will have the opportunity to receive her sacred blessings. Devotees of Jetsun Dolma from Bhutan, the region and across the world will be able to come here and receive the blessings of the Noble Goddess, including blessings for prosperity, longevity, protection and spiritual well-being,” said Laytshog Lopen Sangay Dorji.
At the heart of the centre will be the Jetsun Dolma Khorlo, or Tara Prayer Wheel, designed as the main focal point of the complex. Surrounding it will be prayer flags, landscaped gardens and an elevated sky trail, allowing visitors to experience the sacred structure from different perspectives. The main temple will feature a distinctive architectural design with a thousand openings, symbolising Tara’s thousand compassionate eyes and her boundless compassion.
The centre will also have Tara Retreat Cottages, designed to offer visitors a peaceful environment for solitude and meditation. Built around sculpted earthen mounds, the cottages will have living spaces beneath the landscape and distinctive timber structures rising above. Each will include a dedicated meditation space surrounded by water and nature.
The centre will be developed in phases between 2026 and 2032 and is envisioned to welcome people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths.
Beyond its religious significance, it aspires to become a place where people can experience Bhutan’s Buddhist traditions and reflect on the universal values of compassion, wisdom and mindfulness. As Gelephu Mindfulness City takes shape, the centre will represent an important effort to keep Bhutan’s spiritual identity at the heart of its development.
Karma Wangdi/Passang Dorji, Gelephu
