Gelephu (Bhutan), November 1: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju represented the Government of India at the ceremony for the raising and consecration of 108 Stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan, on Sunday, led by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said. Rijiju's presence was an expression of the shared spiritual and cultural ties and the close friendship between the peoples of India and Bhutan.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Minority Affairs

The King, the Prime Minister of Bhutan and Rijiju offered prayers at Stupa No. 76, dedicated by the King to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment and steadfast support to the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Rijiju conveyed gratitude on behalf of Prime Minister Modi to the King for the gesture. In a post on X, Rijiju wrote: "It's a huge honour for India that very sacred stupa 76 is dedicated to Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji for his outstanding vision and commitment to friendship between India and Bhutan," ANI reported.

Source: ANI via Indian Economic Observer

108Stupas raised and consecrated at Gelephu in a single day
15 metresHeight of each stupa, set 108 metres apart
11.7 kmStretch along the Aie (Mau) River near the Assam border
No. 76The stupa dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The 108 Stupas project was conceived by the King of Bhutan, who also steered its implementation. In a single day, thousands of volunteers erected the 108 stupas along the Aie (Mau) River within Gelephu Mindfulness City, near the border with Assam. According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the project aims to showcase Gelephu Mindfulness City as a prominent centre of Vajrayana Buddhism while representing the values and culture of the Bhutanese people. The ceremony was held on the auspicious occasion of Lhabab Duchen.

Rijiju said he paid his respects and offered prayers in the presence of the King, Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and the people of Bhutan, calling it a deeply meaningful spiritual occasion reflecting Bhutan's rich Buddhist heritage and the enduring bonds of friendship between the two nations.

During his visit to Bhutan from October 31 to November 2, Rijiju received an audience with the King and met Prime Minister Tobgay in Gelephu, where the two held what Rijiju called warm and very positive discussions on strengthening the India-Bhutan partnership and the potential of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project for both nations. He reaffirmed India's support for the Gelephu project and its role in the development of neighbouring areas in India together with Bhutan. The PIB said the two sides appreciated the healthy trend in bilateral cooperation across development cooperation, trade, energy, investment, connectivity and cultural connections.