Current Affairs · · GS1 · History

Bhutan's 108-stupa project anchors Gelephu Mindfulness City

Bhutan's "Project 108" plans to raise 108 stupas, known as Jangchub Chortens, along the Mao Chhu river in Gelephu Mindfulness City, near the Assam border. They were scheduled to be built in a single day on 1 November 2026 by thousands of volunteers. Reports link some relics to India, highlighting Buddhism as a living bond between the two countries.

Event date:

REq1
  1. Note1 / 5

    WHY IN NEWS?

    • Bhutan's Project 108 aims to build 108 Jangchub Chortens (stupas) in Gelephu Mindfulness City.
    • They stretch about 12 km along the Mao Chhu river, each about 15 metres high and 108 metres apart.
    • They were scheduled to be raised in a single day on 1 November 2026, the day marking the Buddha's descent from heaven and the King's coronation anniversary.
    • Monks prepared the sacred inner relics, called zung, at Sarpang Dzong.
    • Reports say some relics are of Indian origin.
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    ABOUT GELEPHU MINDFULNESS CITY

    • Announced by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in December 2023.
    • Located in southern Bhutan, on the border with Assam.
    • Planned as a special economic zone combining business with Buddhist values and environmental care.
    • India and Bhutan are building a cross-border rail link from Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu.
    • The project is part of a wider plan for temples, a Buddhist academy and other spiritual sites.
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    KEY CONCEPTS

    1. What is a stupa?

    A dome-shaped Buddhist monument that holds relics and represents the Buddha's enlightened mind. Early examples in India include Sanchi and Bharhut.

    1. What is a chorten?

    The Tibetan and Bhutanese name for a stupa. A Jangchub Chorten commemorates the Buddha's enlightenment.

    1. What is Vajrayana Buddhism?

    A tradition, prominent in Bhutan, Tibet and the Himalayas, that uses tantric rituals, mantras and teacher-disciple lineages.

    1. Why the number 108?

    It is a sacred number in Buddhism and Hinduism, linked to rosary beads and mental afflictions overcome on the path to enlightenment.

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    INDIA–BHUTAN LINKS

    • Shared faith: Buddhism travelled from India to the Himalayas; Guru Padmasambhava, revered in Bhutan, came from the Indian subcontinent.
    • Cultural diplomacy: Relic exhibitions and pilgrim links strengthen ties.
    • Connectivity: Rail and road projects tie Gelephu to Assam.
    • Development: India is Bhutan's largest development and trade partner.
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    WAY FORWARD

    These are suggested measures, not approved policy.

    • Document relic origins carefully and transparently.
    • Promote pilgrimage and education links between Indian and Bhutanese Buddhist sites.
    • Develop sustainable tourism that respects Bhutan's environment.
    • Respect Bhutan's priorities on culture and ecology in joint projects.

Sources

Syllabus

PaperSubjectSub-topic
GS1HistoryIndian culture, Buddhist architecture and heritage
GS2International RelationsIndia–Bhutan relations, cultural diplomacy
PrelimsHistoryStupa, chorten, Vajrayana, Gelephu Mindfulness City

Topics

Buddhism and JainismIndian ArchitectureWorld Map-Based GeographyInternational Relations and Current Affairs

Related previous-year questions

Asked in earlier UPSC Prelims papers on this topic. Answer, then check.

  1. UPSC Prelims 2013 · Art and Culture · Indian Painting

    Consider the following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 1, 2 and 3
    4. None
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Correct Answer: 1 and 2 only This question asks which historical places are known for mural paintings. Ajanta and Lepakshi are important mural painting sites, while Sanchi is mainly known for Buddhist architecture and sculpture. Statement-wise Explanation 1. Ajanta Caves — Correct Ajanta Caves are famous for Buddhist mural paintings. The paintings depict Jataka tales and scenes from the life of the Buddha. They are generally associated with the fresco-secco technique, where paint is applied on a dry plaster surface. 2. Lepakshi Temple — Correct Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh is known for medieval mural paintings. These paintings are found mainly on the ceilings of mandapas. They depict themes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. 3. Sanchi Stupa — Incorrect Sanchi Stupa is a major Buddhist heritage site, but it is not known for mural paintings. It is mainly famous for its stupa architecture, stone railings and carved toranas. Do not confuse Buddhist heritage sites with mural painting sites. Extra UPSC Info * Ajanta Caves are located in Maharashtra and are associated with Buddhist art. * Ajanta developed under the Satavahanas and later the Vakatakas. * Lepakshi Temple is associated with the Vijayanagara period. * Sanchi Stupa was originally commissioned by Ashoka and later expanded under the Shungas and Satavahanas. * Other important mural sites include Bagh Caves, Sittanavasal, Badami and Ellora. * Fresco-secco means painting on dry plaster, unlike true fresco where painting is done on wet plaster. Final Takeaway Ajanta and Lepakshi are known for mural paintings, while Sanchi is mainly known for Buddhist architecture and sculpture.

    Difficulty: hard · direct

    Open this question on its own page, with the full explanation →

  2. UPSC Prelims 2023 · Art and Culture · Buddhism and Jainism

    With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. 3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition. How many of the statements given above are correct?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All three
    4. None
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Statement 1 – INCORRECT: The concept of Stupa does not have Buddhist origin. The word Stupa is mentioned in the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Vajasaneyi Samhita, Taittriya Samhita, etc. Hence statement 1 is not correct. Statement 2 – CORRECT: Stupa was generally a repository of relics. Buddhist texts confirm this and Stupa is regarded as a monument for veneration. Hence statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 – CORRECT: Stupa gradually was related to the ritualistic and commemorative with sectarian, affliation with school of philosophical obligatory and was bound by aspects of social-economic life. Hence statement 3 is correct. Correct statements: 2 and 3 → Only two → Option (b).

    Difficulty: medium · statement

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  3. UPSC Prelims 2026 · Art and Culture · Sculpture

    Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct? 1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley. 2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. 3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia. Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 3 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Statement 1 is correct: The Amaravati Stupa, historically known as Dhanyakataka, was built in the lower Krishna river valley in modern Andhra Pradesh, thriving under the patronage of the Satavahanas and later the Ikshvakus. Statement 2 is not correct: When fully intact, the Amaravati Stupa was actually larger than the Sanchi Stupa, not next to it in size. Sanchi Stupa No. 1 has a diameter of roughly 36.5 metres, whereas the Amaravati Mahachaitya was the largest stupa in the Indian subcontinent during its peak, with a dome diameter exceeding 50 metres and a height of nearly 30 metres. Unlike Sanchi's stone railings, Amaravati was renowned for its Ayaka platforms topped with five Ayaka pillars facing each cardinal direction, symbolising the five major events of the Buddha's life. Statement 3 is correct: The Amaravati school was distinct for its use of white marble-like limestone and its dynamic, crowded narrative style emphasising movement. Its stylistic idioms deeply influenced Pallava and Chola art, and direct trade links led to the export of Amaravati-style Buddha statues to Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura), Thailand and Indonesia. Statements 1 and 3 are correct, so the answer is Option (b).

    Difficulty: hard · statement

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Practice questions

  1. In Bhutanese and Tibetan tradition, a stupa is called a:

    1. Dzong
    2. Chorten
    3. Gompa
    4. Lhakhang
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A dzong is a fortress-monastery; a lhakhang is a temple.

    Difficulty: easy · statement

  2. Gelephu Mindfulness City in Bhutan borders which Indian State?

    1. Sikkim
    2. West Bengal
    3. Assam
    4. Arunachal Pradesh
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A rail link from Kokrajhar is planned.

    Difficulty: easy · statement

  3. Vajrayana Buddhism is most prominent in:

    1. Sri Lanka and Thailand
    2. Bhutan and the Himalayan region
    3. Japan only
    4. Myanmar
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Theravada dominates Sri Lanka and Thailand.

    Difficulty: easy · statement

Mains practice

Answer-writing practice on this article. Attempt it first, then open the hints.

  1. GS2 · 150 words

    Discuss the role of shared Buddhist heritage in India's neighbourhood diplomacy, with reference to Bhutan.

    Show hints
    1. Buddhism's spread
    2. relics, pilgrimage
    3. Gelephu, connectivity
    4. soft power, development partnership