Bhutan Dedicates Sacred Buddhist Stupa No. 76 to Narendra Modi

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck performed the consecration ceremony of the 108 Buddhist stupas in the Gelephu Mindfulness City on 1st of November 2026 and dedicated the Stupa No. 76 to the India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a gesture that acknowledged his dedication and commitment towards the Gelephu Mindfulness City project and India-Bhutan collaboration.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju represented India and said that the gesture was a great honour for the country. He stated that the Prime Minister was grateful to the Bhutanese King and that the two countries share a strong connection based on their common spirituality and culture.

Project 108 – 108 Buddhist Stupas Built in Bhutan

The idea for building 108 Buddhist stupas, also known as Project 108, came from King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Thousands of volunteers built the 108 stupas in one day along the banks of the Aie (Mau) River in Gelephu Mindfulness City. The stupas are an around 11.7km spiritual corridor located close to Bhutan’s border with Assam, India.

The stupas are 15m in height and spaced 108m apart. Around 40,000 volunteers, monks and craftsmen took part in the process.

Stupa Project Details

• Project Name: Project 108
• Stupas: 108 Buddhist Stupas
• Local Name: Jangchub Chortens
• Also Known As: Stupas of Enlightenment
• Location: Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan
• River: Aie (Mau) River
• Height: 15m
• Spacing Between Stupas: 108m
• Length: Approx. 11.7km
• Conceptualised by: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
• Representative: Kiren Rijiju
• Stupa Dedicated to Narendra Modi: Stupa No. 76

The project aims to make Gelephu Mindfulness City a major centre for Vajrayana Buddhism and showcase Bhutan’s religious culture and values.

Religious Importance of Number 108

108 is an important number in Buddhism and is used in many aspects of the religion. A mala, or prayer beads used in Buddhism, has 108 beads.

The Jangchub Chortens are designed to symbolise enlightenment, wisdom and compassion. Stupas are sacred in Buddhism and are traditionally associated with the Buddha, his teachings and holy people. They are used for prayer, meditation and worship.

Lhabab Düchen – Celebration of the Occasion

The consecration was celebrated during the Buddhist festival of Lhabab Düchen which commemorates the descent of Gautama Buddha from heaven.

The celebration involves prayer, worship and devotion. This also marked the 18th Coronation Anniversary of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and traditional dungchen (long horns) were played during the event.

Gelephu Mindfulness City – Bhutan’s Special Administrative Region

Gelephu Mindfulness City is a development project conceptualised by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. This project aims to merge Bhutan’s spiritual values and love for nature with technology, innovation and economic growth.

The city has been set up as a Special Administrative Region under a Royal Charter in February 2024 and is located in southern Bhutan on the border with Assam, India. The area will be used as an economic hub to help Bhutan’s development.

This project is part of the city’s culture and spiritual aspect.