Gelephu Completes 108 Stupas Along River in Bhutan

Bhutan has completed the construction of 108 stupas in the town of Gelephu, marking a major milestone for the developing Gelephu Mindfulness City. The structures, which represent the Buddha's enlightenment, are now anchored along the Mao Chhu river in southern Bhutan, approximately 150 miles south of the capital, Thimphu. The town, currently home to about 10,000 residents, sits near the border with India and is intended to serve as a new economic center that prioritizes ecological sustainability and citizen happiness over commercial profit.

The initiative, known as Project 108, has been in preparation for months prior to the final assembly. Officials planned to erect 108 structures, each standing about 50 feet tall, spaced 354 feet apart in a single file. This arrangement is designed to create the visual effect of a procession of monuments. The number 108 holds sacred significance in Buddhism, the state religion of Bhutan. The stupas are identified as Jangchub Chortens, a form associated with Vajrayana Buddhism, a branch that emerged in India between the 5th and 7th centuries B.C.

On Sunday, approximately 40,000 volunteers participated in the final assembly of the external structures. They began work at 2 a.m. and completed the task by 2 p.m., finishing about four hours ahead of the projected timeline. Workers used prefabricated pieces to build the monuments. Project officials stated that the sealed structures will be filled with prayers, blessings, relics, and spiritual texts. This process transforms the physical stone and earth into a permanent form of prayer. The total attendance for the event reached about 200,000 people, including Buddhist masters from various schools and denominations.

Kinley Dorji, a spokesperson for Gelephu Mindfulness City, described the event as a major historic and spiritual moment for the nation. He noted that the site is a prime location where the plains of India rise into the Himalayas. Dorji said officials initially expected thousands of attendees, but the crowd grew to 100,000. Guests brought offerings and blessings for the new monuments. At night, devotees gathered in large crowds, holding yellow light balls and chanting at the foot of the stupas.

The project is part of a larger effort to address economic challenges in Bhutan, including rising unemployment, falling birth rates, and the migration of skilled workers. The government hopes the city will boost the economy and provide opportunities that encourage young people to remain in the country. Bhutan's concept of Gross National Happiness, which values peace and collective well-being over pure economic growth, is a practical application of Vajrayana Buddhist principles that view nature as sacred.

Among the attendees was the Venerable Pannakara, a Theravada Buddhist monk who completed a 108-day, 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., earlier this year. He arrived with his teacher, the Most Venerable Ratanaguna. Pannakara posted a video on social media showing the construction process. He stated that the group came to witness, pray, and see the results. He expressed satisfaction that 200,000 people from around the world gathered for the occasion.

The tradition of building chortens in Bhutan dates back more than 2,500 years. The earliest structures were built to enshrine relics of the Buddha after his death. The new stupas in Gelephu continue this long-standing practice, integrating ancient spiritual customs with modern architectural planning by Danish architects and the vision of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.