When work began after midnight, tens of thousands of volunteers set out to build a physical form of prayer made permanent in stone and earth along a Himalayan riverbank. According to Al Jazeera, more than 40,000 volunteers participated in constructing 108 Buddhist stupas in a single day, an event that drew approximately 200,000 attendees.
The 15-metre-tall structures were installed along a 12km stretch near the Indian border at the site of the future Gelephu Mindfulness City, Al Jazeera reported. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck stated in a speech at the ceremony that he had worried raising the monuments in a single day might not succeed, but expressed gratitude that everything went successfully.
Background
According to Al Jazeera, the landlocked Himalayan nation of Bhutan is facing massive economic challenges, including rising unemployment, falling birth rates, and the mass migration of skilled workers. Conceived by the king and designed by Danish architects, the Gelephu Mindfulness City aims to persuade more young people to stay by attracting investment in sustainable business, green technology, education, tourism, and financial services.
The site is currently a small town with a population of about 10,000 in southern Bhutan, located roughly 240km south of the capital, Thimphu. The king established the special economic zone by royal charter in 2024 to create a vibrant economic hub, Al Jazeera reported. While analysts have questioned whether Bhutan can attract sufficient investment, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani joined the project as a founding member in January.
Why it matters
For readers observing regional developments, the initiative highlights how neighbouring countries approach economic restructuring, youth retention, and sustainable development alongside traditional cultural values. The project connects regional infrastructure ambitions, including plans to link the site to India's rail network, with local economic strategy.