Bhutan has taken a significant step towards expanding its spiritual infrastructure with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dewachen Spiritual Centre at Kencholing in Sarpang. The proposed Buddhist complex, spanning approximately 30 acres, will form part of the ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) initiative, with the first phase scheduled for completion by 2029.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s highest Buddhist religious authority, presided over the traditional Salang Tendrel ceremony, marking the formal commencement of the project. The occasion brought together senior Buddhist clergy, including Lam Netens and Drubpoens representing all 20 districts of Bhutan, alongside nearly 200 monks.
The religious proceedings will continue with a three-day prayer programme, during which the Tshugla Lopen will lead Kurim prayers seeking blessings for the successful execution of the project. More than 1,000 devotees from different parts of the country are expected to participate.
Envisioned as a major centre for Buddhist education, meditation and religious practice, the Dewachen Spiritual Centre will feature multiple temples, sacred statues and dedicated facilities for monks and nuns. The complex will also accommodate international Buddhist practitioners, positioning it as a destination for spiritual learning and cultural exchange.
According to project coordinator Jamyang Jampa Gyeltshen, the development draws inspiration from Bhutan’s vision of integrating spiritual well-being with modern urban development under Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The centre is intended to reflect the Buddhist concept of Dewachen, or the Pure Land of Bliss, providing an environment conducive to meditation, religious study and the practice of Dharma.
The project is expected to require an investment ranging from USD 30 million to USD 100 million, depending on its development requirements. Construction will proceed in three to four phases, with the initial phase targeted for completion in 2029.
Subsequent phases are projected to take an additional three to five years, while the overall development could extend over seven to nine years.
The announcement has also generated considerable enthusiasm among residents of Shompangkha Gewog, where the proposed centre represents a major addition to the region’s religious and cultural landscape.
Ashman Rai, the Mangmi of Shompangkha Gewog, described the initiative as a source of collective pride for the local community. He noted that the centre would be the village’s first development of this scale and the first major spiritual project associated with Gelephu Mindfulness City in the Sarpang region.
Beyond its religious significance, the project is expected to strengthen the spiritual and cultural identity of the emerging Gelephu Mindfulness City, which seeks to incorporate Bhutanese Buddhist values into its broader development framework.
Once completed, the Dewachen Spiritual Centre is envisioned as a destination bringing together monastic education, contemplative practice and international spiritual engagement, while placing Kencholing and the surrounding communities more prominently on Bhutan’s religious map.
