On 1 November 2026, Bhutan did something no nation had tried before. In a single day, people from every corner of the kingdom raised 108 stupas along the Mau Chhu river in Gelephu Mindfulness City. Each one stands 15 metres tall, and together they form a line of prayer about 12 kilometres long.
For Bhutanese people, this was far more than a building project. It was an offering by a whole nation, led by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Here is the story of the 108 stupas: what happened, why the number matters, and what the chortens mean for Bhutan’s future.
What Happened on 1 November 2026
Work began just after midnight. According to officials, more than 40,000 volunteers joined monks, engineers and craftspeople to complete all 108 Jangchub Chortens before the day was over. Around 200,000 people came to Gelephu to watch, pray and celebrate, close to a quarter of the country’s population.
The date was chosen with care. Three auspicious occasions fell on the same day: the raising of the chortens, Lhabab Duechen, when Lord Buddha is believed to have descended from heaven, and the 18th Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty The King. In Bhutan, Lhabab Duechen is also celebrated as Mothers’ Day.
Speaking at the ceremony, His Majesty admitted he had worried that raising 108 stupas in one day might not succeed. When it did, he thanked everyone who had made it possible.
Why 108? The Meaning of the Number
In Buddhism, 108 is a number of completeness. The Kangyur, the collected teachings of the Buddha, fills 108 volumes. A prayer mala has 108 beads, and practitioners speak of 108 afflictions of the mind to be released on the path to enlightenment.
The number also appears in nature. The official project site notes that the distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 108 times the Sun’s diameter, and the Moon is about 108 Moon-diameters from the Earth. So 108 is a natural choice for a monument meant to bring blessing to the whole land.
What Is a Jangchub Chorten?
Jangchub means enlightenment, and the Jangchub Chorten is one of eight classic stupa designs. It recalls the moment the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Every part has a meaning, read from the ground up toward awakening:
- Pedestal (Thri): the earth element and a firm foundation.
- Stepped base (Bangrim): the Four Noble Truths.
- Dome (Bum-pa): a vessel for sacred relics, the pure body of the Buddha.
- Niche (Lhakhang): a home for a Buddha image.
- Thirteen rings (Khorlo): the stages on the path to Buddhahood.
- Parasol (Dhug): spiritual protection.
- Moon, sun and flame (Nyim-da): compassion, wisdom and their union.
Each chorten is sealed and filled with prayers, blessings and sacred texts, then consecrated by Buddhist masters.
Why Build 108 Stupas?
A chorten is often called a prayer made permanent in stone and earth. Bhutanese people walk around chortens clockwise, spin prayer wheels and light butter lamps, believing that every circuit builds merit and brings peace. As a result, a chorten keeps blessing a place long after its builders are gone.
The 108 stupas are dedicated to peace, harmony and enlightenment for all beings. At the same time, they give a spiritual heart to Gelephu Mindfulness City, so that the city grows around a line of prayer rather than around concrete alone.
His Majesty’s Vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City
His Majesty created Gelephu Mindfulness City by royal charter in 2024. It is a special zone in southern Bhutan, close to the Indian border, meant to bring new jobs, green industry, education and investment while staying true to Gross National Happiness.
Plans include a rail link to Assam in India and an international airport, expected around 2029. The 108 stupas show the other half of the vision: that progress in Bhutan should rest on values. His Majesty announced the project as a Royal initiative in February 2026 and invited everyone, at home and abroad, to take part.
A National Effort
Each chorten cost around US$200,000. Sponsors included Bhutanese families, monasteries, businesses, diaspora groups and friends of Bhutan from around the world. For example, a group of former ministers and senior civil servants came together to sponsor Chorten No. 5. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens gave whatever they could through a community offering open to any amount.
On the day itself, farmers, students, monks and officials worked side by side. Many Bhutanese families, ours included, travelled to Gelephu to be part of it. One elder told reporters the day would be remembered for generations.
From Dochula to Gelephu: Bhutan’s 108 Chortens
This is not the first time Bhutan has built 108 chortens. On Dochula Pass, above Thimphu, stand the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens, built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and completed in 2004. They honour the victory of 2003 and the leadership of His Majesty the Fourth King.
Every year on 13 December, the Druk Wangyel festival is danced in front of those chortens. Now, with Gelephu, the kingdom has two lines of 108 chortens, one on a high pass in the north and one beside a river in the south.
How to Visit the 108 Stupas
Gelephu lies in south-central Bhutan, about 240 kilometres from Thimphu. You can reach it by a scenic drive of around seven hours through Wangdue and Tsirang, or by a short domestic flight from Paro when scheduled. The best months are October to March, when the southern foothills are dry and pleasant.
Our 6-day Gelephu Mindfulness City tour includes a walk along the stupas. We can also add Gelephu to other journeys. For example, it pairs well with our Bhutan cultural tour packages, or with a Bhutan festival tour in autumn or winter. Every visitor needs a licensed operator and a visa, and you can find the latest rules on Bhutan’s official tourism site.
108 Stupas FAQ
Where are the 108 stupas in Bhutan?
Along the Mau Chhu river in Gelephu Mindfulness City, in Sarpang district in southern Bhutan.
How tall are the 108 stupas?
Each stupa is 15 metres tall, and they stand about 108 metres apart in a single line.
Can tourists visit the 108 stupas?
Yes. Visitors can walk the riverside line and make offerings. Please dress modestly and walk clockwise around each chorten.
Who built the 108 stupas?
The project was a Royal initiative of His Majesty The King, carried out by tens of thousands of volunteers with monks, engineers and craftspeople.
Sources: Project 108 official site, BBS and Kuensel.
