Bhutan Volunteers Complete 108 Stupas in One Day
Over 40,000 workers built sacred monuments along the border river to mark the start of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
More than 40,000 volunteers in Bhutan completed the construction of 108 Buddhist stupas on Sunday. The group began work after midnight to install the structures along a 12-kilometer stretch of riverbank near the Indian border.
The monuments stand 15 meters tall and mark the initial physical development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Officials described the project as a permanent prayer made of stone and earth. The number 108 holds specific religious significance in the Buddhist tradition practiced throughout the kingdom.
Approximately 200,000 people attended the ceremony. This crowd size represents nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's total population, according to officials who spoke to the AFP news agency. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck addressed the gathering, noting his initial concern that the one-day construction target might not be met. He later stated that the process went successfully and expressed gratitude for the outcome.
The city project is designed by Danish architects and established by royal charter in 2024. Leaders aim to use the new zone to attract investment in green technology, education, tourism, and financial services. The initiative seeks to address economic pressures including rising unemployment and the migration of skilled workers from the country. The site is currently a small town with a population of about 10,000, located 240 kilometers south of Thimphu.
Indian business leader Gautam Adani joined the project as a founding member in January. The site will connect to India’s rail network in Assam, and an international airport is scheduled to open in 2029. Bhutan also plans to use surplus hydropower to mine Bitcoin, directing digital asset proceeds toward the city's development.
Nima Gyeltshen, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment, said the event will be recorded in history for generations. Bishnu Maya Moktang, a 56-year-old resident, expressed hope that she will live long enough to see the city fully realized. She noted that her parents died young and would never have witnessed the development.
Source: Al Jazeera
