A 16-day festival to pray for world peace and the healing of humanity amid conflicts began in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, on Tuesday (November 4, 2025).
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the king of Bhutan, and Trulku Jigme Choedra, the country’s chief abbot, ceremonially launched the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) at the Changlimithang ground in Thimphu.
The Royal Government of Bhutan is organising the festival.
One of the key events of the festival is Jabzhi, a Vajrayana Buddhist ritual used for cleansing negative karma and removing destructive forces. The Jabzhi, which started on Tuesday (November 4), will continue till November 10.
“It is appropriate that Jabzhi is being held as an effective counterweight, an obstacle remover, to everything seen and unseen that may block the blessed energies radiating from the global peace prayer,” a festival spokesperson said. The Jabzhi will be followed by the Kalachakra empowerment, which offers a glimpse of Shambhala, a mythical paradise of peace and tranquillity.
