Kiren Rijiju attends consecration of 108 Stupas in Bhutan’s Gelephu city

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju represented India at the consecration of 108 Stupas in Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City on 1 November, at a ceremony led by the King of Bhutan.

Rijiju, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, said his presence reflected the shared spiritual and cultural ties and close friendship between the peoples of India and Bhutan, according to the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

The project

The 108 Stupas project was conceived by the King and steered by him through implementation. In a single day, thousands of volunteers erected 108 Stupas, each 15 metres tall and 108 metres apart, along an 11.7-kilometre stretch of the Aie (Mau) River within Gelephu Mindfulness City, near the border with Assam. The project aims to showcase the city as a prominent centre of Vajrayana Buddhism.

A stupa for the Prime Minister

The King, Bhutan's Prime Minister and Rijiju offered prayers at Stupa No. 76, which the King dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment and support to Gelephu Mindfulness City. Rijiju conveyed gratitude on Modi's behalf.

Meetings in Thimphu

During his visit, from 31 October to 2 November, Rijiju received an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and met Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. The two sides appreciated the trend in cooperation in development, trade, energy, investment, connectivity and cultural links. Rijiju reaffirmed India's support for Gelephu Mindfulness City and its role in developing neighbouring areas of India together with Bhutan.

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Source: official release by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (01 NOV 2026 5:45PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, attends the raising of 108 Stupas in Bhutan.