Rijiju thanks Bhutan King for dedicating Stupa 76 to PM Modi in Gelephu
Synopsis
Bhutan’s King dedicated one of 108 newly consecrated stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City to PM Modi — a gesture that goes beyond ceremony. With thousands of volunteers erecting 108 fifteen-metre stupas in a single day, and India reaffirming strategic support for the project, Gelephu is quietly emerging as a new fulcrum of India-Bhutan cultural diplomacy and northeastern connectivity.
Key Takeaways
Kiren Rijiju represented India at the 108 Stupas consecration ceremony in Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan on Sunday, 2 November 2026 .
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck dedicated one stupa ( Stupa 76 ) to PM Narendra Modi in recognition of India’s support for the project.
The 108 Stupas , each 15 metres tall , were erected by thousands of volunteers in a single day along an 11.7-kilometre stretch beside the Aie (Mau) River .
Rijiju met King Wangchuck and Bhutan PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay during his 31 October – 2 November visit.
India reaffirmed support for Gelephu Mindfulness City and its role in developing neighbouring areas of India alongside Bhutan.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday, 3 November 2026, expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for dedicating one of the 108 Stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in recognition of his steadfast support for the landmark project. Rijiju had represented the Indian government at the consecration ceremony held on Sunday in Gelephu, Bhutan, near the border with Assam.
The Stupa Ceremony and Its Significance
On Sunday, thousands of volunteers erected 108 Stupas in a single day along an 11.7-kilometre stretch beside the Aie (Mau) River within Gelephu Mindfulness City. Each stupa stands 15 metres tall and is separated by 108 metres from the next. The event was conducted on the auspicious occasion of Lhabab Duchen, accompanied by the ceremonial blowing of Dungchens.
“Dedicating a sacred stupa to someone is not an ordinary gesture. It is highly meritorious, auspicious, and spiritually significant. In Buddhism, a stupa is not just a monument — it is a physical representation of the Buddha’s enlightened mind,” Rijiju wrote on X following his visit.
What Gelephu Mindfulness City Represents
The 108 Stupas project was conceived and steered by King Wangchuck himself. According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the project aims to establish Gelephu Mindfulness City as a prominent centre of Vajrayana Buddhism while also showcasing the values and culture of the Bhutanese people. The site sits strategically close to India’s northeastern border, giving it both cultural and geopolitical resonance.
Rijiju’s Bilateral Meetings in Thimphu
During his visit to Bhutan from 31 October to 2 November, Rijiju received an audience with King Wangchuck and also held talks with Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. The two sides, according to a statement from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, “appreciated the special friendship between the two nations and the healthy trend in bilateral cooperation in diverse areas such as development cooperation, trade, energy, investment, connectivity and cultural connections.”
India’s Role in Gelephu’s Development
Rijiju reaffirmed India’s support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project and its potential to spur development in neighbouring areas of India alongside Bhutan. This visit underscores the close civilisational bond between the two countries and India’s continued strategic interest in Bhutan’s economic and cultural growth. Notably, Gelephu’s proximity to Assam makes it a node of cross-border connectivity and investment that New Delhi has been keen to nurture.
As Gelephu Mindfulness City advances, India’s diplomatic and development engagement with Bhutan is expected to deepen further, with both governments signalling continued cooperation on the transformative project.
Point of View
And India’s visibility at its consecration is a deliberate geopolitical statement. What mainstream coverage misses is that Gelephu sits almost flush against Assam — making India’s support here as much about northeastern connectivity and border strategy as it is about cultural goodwill. The real question is whether India’s diplomatic endorsement will translate into concrete investment and infrastructure linkages that give Gelephu’s vision commercial legs.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bhutan’s King dedicate a stupa to PM Modi?
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck dedicated Stupa 76 in Gelephu Mindfulness City to PM Narendra Modi in recognition of his commitment and steadfast support for the 108 Stupas project. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju described the gesture as ‘highly meritorious, auspicious, and spiritually significant’ in Buddhism.
What is Gelephu Mindfulness City and the 108 Stupas project?
Gelephu Mindfulness City is a major development initiative in southern Bhutan, near the border with Assam, conceived by King Wangchuck. The 108 Stupas project, also steered by the King, saw thousands of volunteers erect 108 stupas — each 15 metres tall and separated by 108 metres — along an 11.7-kilometre stretch of the Aie (Mau) River, aiming to establish Gelephu as a global centre of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Who represented India at the Gelephu stupa consecration?
Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju represented the Indian government at the consecration ceremony on Sunday, 2 November 2026, which was led by King Wangchuck on the occasion of Lhabab Duchen.
What was discussed during Rijiju’s visit to Bhutan?
During his 31 October to 2 November visit, Rijiju met King Wangchuck and Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in development, trade, energy, investment, connectivity, and cultural ties, and India reaffirmed its support for Gelephu Mindfulness City.
What is the strategic significance of Gelephu Mindfulness City for India?
Gelephu Mindfulness City is located near Bhutan’s border with Assam in northeastern India, making it a key node for cross-border connectivity and regional development. India’s support for the project signals both cultural alignment and a strategic interest in shaping economic linkages in its northeastern neighbourhood.
