40,000 Volunteers Raise 108 Stupas in One Day for Bhutan's New City
The Himalayan kingdom installed the 15-metre structures along a riverbank near India to mark the start of a major economic zone.
By Harper Collins ·
More than 40,000 volunteers constructed 108 Buddhist stupas on Sunday, a task that took place after midnight. The structures, each 15 metres tall, now line 12 kilometres of riverbank in southern Bhutan. This location sits near the border with India and serves as the site for the future Gelephu Mindfulness City. Officials described the labor as a physical form of prayer made permanent in stone and earth.
Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expressed relief after the completion of the project. He admitted to fearing that raising all 108 structures in a single day might fail. However, he stated that everything went successfully and expressed gratitude for the outcome. Approximately 200,000 people attended the ceremony, which represents nearly a quarter of the country's total population of just under 800,000.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City is a special economic zone established by royal charter in 2024. Designed by Danish architects and conceived by the king, the project aims to stimulate economic growth. Leaders hope the city will attract investment in sustainable business, green technology, education, tourism, and financial services. The initiative is also intended to persuade young residents to stay in the country rather than emigrating.
Bhutan currently faces economic pressure from rising unemployment and falling birth rates. Many skilled workers are migrating out of the landlocked nation, which is situated between China and India. The country is known for prioritizing Gross National Happiness alongside traditional economic growth metrics. The new city is currently a small town with a population of about 10,000, located roughly 240 kilometres south of the capital, Thimphu.
Investors have begun to take notice of the project, though analysts remain skeptical about whether sufficient capital will materialize. Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, head of a conglomerate spanning ports and power, joined the project as a founding member in January. The site is scheduled to connect to India’s rail network in Assam. An international airport is slated to open at the location in 2029.
The city’s development is linked to Bhutan’s use of cryptocurrency. The kingdom mines Bitcoin using surplus hydropower and plans to use digital assets to support the city’s construction. Nima Gyeltshen, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment, said the occasion would be recorded in history for generations. Bishnu Maya Moktang, a 56-year-old resident who attended the ceremony, expressed hope that she would live long enough to see the city completed.
