Bhutan to Enshrine Sacred Indian Buddha Relics in 108 Stupas

Monks alongside a force of 40,000 trained volunteers are scheduled to construct 108 enlightenment stupas at the same time in the southern town of Gelephu on 1 November 2026. These religious monuments, referred to as jangchub chortens, will stretch across a 12-kilometre section adjacent to the Mau Chhu River. Organisers revealed that the initiative serves as a sacred offering aimed at promoting world peace during a period marked by global instability. A major element of the project involves placing sacred Buddhist relics originating from India inside most of the newly built structures. Officials explained that these holy objects constitute the zung, which represents the living manifestation of the Buddha's physical form, speech, and mind. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is scheduled to deliver a formal address to the nation from a prepared royal venue at the site during the event. The simultaneous raising of the 108 stupas signifies the formal spiritual start of the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative. Conceptualised as an international financial and trade venue driven by spiritual principles, the monarch noted that bringing this large-scale project to fruition represents a fundamental evaluation of national character.