Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk on Sunday (November 1, 2026) dedicated one of the 108 Buddhist stupas erected in a nine-hour construction feat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a mark of appreciation for India’s support for the country’s ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project.
Modi. About 40,000 trained volunteers built the 108 Jangchub Chortens in what could be a potentially record-breaking royal initiative to lay the spiritual foundation of the planned city. About two hours later, the focus shifted to Chorten Number 76, which the King dedicated to Mr. Modi turned 76 more than a month ago. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who represented India for ‘Project 108’, thanked the King for dedicating Chorten 76 to Mr. Addressing the people after the completion of Project 108, King Wangchuk said he had been worried that the construction of 108 stupas in a single day might not succeed.
Because mr, bhutanese officials said the number was chosen.
Modi “as an enduring symbol” of his “profound appreciation” for the latter’s “unwavering commitment and India’s steadfast support for the realisation” of GMC. “This remarkable milestone is an enduring symbol of the deep spiritual and civilisational bonds between our two nations,” he said, congratulating Bhutan on the achievement. “People from every walk of life and every generation came together to make this possible,” he said, underscoring the Bhutanese collective spirit and ability to achieve “anything impossible”.
The King also expressed gratitude to Bhutan’s patrons, sponsors, supporters, and well-wishers.
He said the same spirit would help Bhutan overcome natural calamities, economic crises, and other challenges. “Prime Minister Modi and the government of India have been enormously supportive of Bhutan and of the vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City,” he said.
