Bhutan Builds 108 Sacred Stupas in a Day for Ambitious 'Mindfulness' City Project

Tens of thousands of volunteers converged in Bhutan on November 1, 2026, to construct 108 Buddhist stupas, marking a significant step in the development of the nation's new "mindfulness" city, Gelephu. This ambitious undertaking is part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth in the Himalayan kingdom.

The 15-meter-tall (50ft) stupas, which are revered Buddhist monuments common in Himalayan regions, were erected along a 12km (7.5 miles) stretch of riverbank near the Indian border, the designated site for the future Gelephu Mindfulness City. Officials reported that over 40,000 volunteers participated in the construction, describing the effort as "a physical form of prayer made permanent in stone and earth." Work commenced shortly after midnight, aligning with the sacred significance of the number 108 in Buddhism, a faith widely practiced in Bhutan.

The ceremony drew an estimated 200,000 attendees, representing nearly a quarter of Bhutan's total population. Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expressed his relief and gratitude at the project's success, stating in a speech, "I was worried that raising 108 stupas in a single day might not succeed. But everything went successfully, and for that, I am truly grateful."

Bhutanese leadership envisions Gelephu Mindfulness City, a concept developed by the king and designed by Danish architects, as a catalyst for economic advancement and a means to retain young talent within the country. The city aims to attract investment in key sectors such as sustainable business, green technology, education, tourism, and financial services. This initiative comes at a time when Bhutan faces considerable economic challenges, including rising unemployment, declining birth rates, and the emigration of skilled workers.

Located in southern Bhutan along the Indian border, approximately 240km (150 miles) south of the capital, Thimphu, Gelephu is currently a small town with a population of around 10,000. The king officially established this special economic zone by royal charter in 2024, with the explicit goal of fostering "a vibrant economic hub." Bhutan, a landlocked nation situated between China and India with a population of just under 800,000, is renowned for its guiding principle of prioritizing "Gross National Happiness" alongside economic development.

Nima Gyeltshen, 65, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment, which assists young Bhutanese in securing employment, remarked, "This occasion will be recorded in our history for generations to come."

Despite potential investor skepticism regarding Bhutan's ability to attract the necessary capital for the city's realization, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, joined the project as a founding member in January. Future infrastructure plans include connecting the site to India’s rail network via neighboring Assam and the opening of an international airport in 2029.

The project also aligns with Bhutan's cryptocurrency initiatives. The kingdom is actively mining Bitcoin utilizing surplus hydropower and has expressed intentions to leverage digital assets to support the city's development. Bishnu Maya Moktang, a 56-year-old resident who attended the ceremony, shared her optimism about the future mindfulness city, saying, "I hope to live long enough to see it. My parents died young, and they would never see the city. I feel fortunate."