Bhutan: More than 40,000 volunteers in Bhutan built 108 Buddhist stupas on Sunday as part of an ambitious plan to develop a “Mindfulness City” aimed at accelerating economic growth and creating new opportunities for the Himalayan kingdom.
The stupas have been constructed along a 12-kilometre stretch of riverbank near the Indian border. Each structure stands 15 metres tall and is located within the proposed area of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a major development project planned in southern Bhutan.
According to officials, volunteers began construction shortly after midnight and completed all 108 stupas within a single day. Organisers described the collective effort as a “physical manifestation of prayer”.
Bhutan, a landlocked country situated between China and India, has a population of approximately 800,000. The country is internationally known for prioritising Gross National Happiness alongside economic development.
Through the proposed new city, Bhutan aims to strengthen its economy, generate employment and encourage young people to remain in the country rather than migrate abroad. The project is also expected to attract investment in sustainable businesses, green technology, education, tourism and financial services.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck established the special administrative region through a royal decree in 2024. He described the initiative as an effort to create a vibrant economic centre for the country.
Bhutan has been facing challenges related to declining birth rates and the increasing number of young people leaving the country in search of better employment and other opportunities.
Nima Gyaltshen, 65, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment, said the construction of the stupas was an event that future generations of Bhutanese would remember as part of the country’s history.
According to the latest census conducted in 2017, Gelephu had a population of fewer than 10,000 people.
Organisers said the combined height of the 108 stupas is more than ten times the height of Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza, reflecting their religious and cultural significance in Buddhist tradition.
The estimated cost of the project is $21 million. However, analysts have raised questions about whether Bhutan will be able to secure sufficient investment to implement its ambitious development plans.
Meanwhile, the Adani Group, led by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, joined the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative as a founding member in January this year.
The proposed city is expected to be connected to India’s railway network through the neighbouring state of Assam. Bhutan also aims to bring an international airport into operation in Gelephu by 2029.
The project is also linked to Bhutan’s ambitions in the cryptocurrency sector. The country has been using surplus hydropower to mine Bitcoin and is exploring ways to incorporate digital assets into the development of the new city.
Among those attending Sunday’s ceremony was 56-year-old local resident Bishnu Maya Moktang, who expressed excitement about the proposed development.
“I hope I live long enough to see this city,” she told AFP. “My parents passed away at a young age and never had the opportunity to see it. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity.”
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