Bhutan Consecrates 108 Stupas in Gelephu in Nine Hours and Dedicates Stupa 76 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Bhutan erected and consecrated 108 Buddhist stupas within nine hours at the upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City on Sunday, NDTV reported. About 40,000 trained volunteers built the 108 Jangchub Chortens between 3 a.m. and 12 noon, The Hindu reported. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk dedicated Stupa 76 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a symbol of profound appreciation for India's steadfast support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project. Bhutanese officials stated that the specific number was chosen because Prime Minister Modi celebrated his seventy-sixth birthday more than a month earlier, The Hindu noted.

Indian Representation and Bilateral Partnership

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju attended the consecration ceremony representing India and unveiled a plaque dedicating Jangchub Chorten number 76 alongside the Bhutanese king, NDTV reported. Rijiju stated that the construction milestone stands as an enduring symbol of the deep civilisational and spiritual bonds between India and Bhutan, The Hindu reported. Rijiju also conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reaffirmed India's commitment to the bilateral partnership between both nations. The consecration ceremony began in the early morning hours and concluded at midday in the presence of Bhutan's Chief Abbot and royal family members, NDTV reported.

During his visit to Bhutan from 31 October to 2 November 2026, Minister Kiren Rijiju received an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and met Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay to review bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, energy, investment, and connectivity, according to Press Information Bureau.

Architectural Features and Riverfront Layout

Each of the 108 Jangchub Chortens stands 15 metres tall with intervals of 108 metres separating them along the Mau Chhu River, The Hindu reported. Construction teams utilized structural steel and improvised building materials for the stupas, marking a departure from traditional reliance on stone and earth. Thousands of attendees gathered at the ceremonial grounds chanted a six-syllable Tibetan Buddhist mantra as volunteers completed the construction mission, The Hindu noted. Gelephu is situated approximately 240 kilometres south-southeast of Bhutan's capital Thimphu and borders Assam's Chirang district.

The 108 Stupas were erected along an 11.7 kilometre stretch on the Aie (Mau) River within Gelephu Mindfulness City near the border with Assam, according to Press Information Bureau.

Community Participation and Strategic Significance

Addressing attendees after the completion of Project 108, King Wangchuk stated that he had harbored concerns that erecting 108 stupas within a single day might not succeed, The Hindu reported. King Wangchuk observed that citizens from every generation and background united to accomplish the mission, demonstrating the national spirit required to overcome major national challenges. The King stated that this shared resilience would assist Bhutan in navigating economic challenges, natural calamities, and developmental obstacles in future years. King Wangchuk praised the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing that Indian partnership has become an integral part of the Gelephu Mindfulness City story, NDTV noted.