Visual concept for Gelephu Mindfulness City
Gelephu, Bhutan: Tens of thousands of volunteers took part Sunday to build 108 Buddhist stupas in Bhutan, marking the Himalayan kingdom's ambitious plans for a "mindfulness" city aimed at driving economic growth.
The 15-metre (49-foot) tall solid towers -- sacred Buddhist monuments found across the Himalayas -- stretch along 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) of riverbank near the Indian border, at the site of the future Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Over 40,000 volunteers participated in building all 108 structures in a single day as "a physical form of prayer" after starting work post-midnight, officials said.
Landlocked Bhutan, with a population of just under 800,000 and wedged between China and India, is known for its policy of prioritising "Gross National Happiness" alongside economic growth.
Bhutan hopes the city will boost its economy and persuade more young people to stay, attracting investment in sustainable business, green technology, education, tourism and financial services.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck established the special zone by royal charter in 2024, saying its purpose was to "create a vibrant economic hub".
Bhutan faces a declining birthrate and an exodus of young people seeking opportunities abroad.
"This occasion will be recorded in our history for generations to come," said Nima Gyeltshen, 65, head of the Organisation for Youth Empowerment, which helps young Bhutanese find work.
The sleepy town has a population of less than 10,000, according to the last census in 2017.
Together, the 108 stupas -- a number with significance in Buddhist traditions -- stand more than 10 times the height of Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza, organisers say, at an estimated cost of $21 million.
Analysts have questioned whether Bhutan can attract sufficient investment to realise its vision.
But Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, head of the ports-to-power conglomerate, joined Gelephu Mindfulness City as a founding member in January.
The site is to be connected to India's rail network in neighbouring Assam, with an international airport slated to open in 2029.
The project is also linked to Bhutan's cryptocurrency ambitions, with the kingdom mining bitcoin using surplus hydropower and pledging to use digital assets to support the city's development.
Bishnu Maya Moktang, a local resident who attended Sunday's ceremony, said she was excited about the upcoming mindfulness city.
"I hope to live long enough to see it," Moktang, 56, told AFP.
"My parents died young and they would never see the city. I feel fortunate."
