Bhutan Sets Guinness World Record by Erecting 108 Stupas in Nine Hours
Bhutan has achieved a Guinness World Record by erecting and consecrating 108 Buddhist stupas (Jangchub Chortens) within nine hours at Gelephu Mindfulness City. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju officially represented India at the historic event, where one of the stupas was specifically dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What happened
Under the initiative known as Project 108, Bhutan achieved an official Guinness World Record titled 'The Most Stupas/Chortens Consecrated Simultaneously (Multiple Venues)'. The project was conceptualised and announced by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on 21 February 2026. The construction and simultaneous consecration took place on 1 November 2026, commencing at 3:00 AM and concluding by 12:00 noon, successfully finishing within nine hours.
The 108 Jangchub Chortens (Stupas of Enlightenment) were constructed along the banks of the Mau Chhu (Mao Chhu / Aie) river in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), located in southern Bhutan near the border with Assam, India. Each stupa stands 15 metres tall and is spaced roughly 108 metres apart, covering a corridor extending approximately 11.7 to 12 kilometres. The execution involved trained crews of 20 to 23 personnel at each site, supported by around 40,000 volunteers. A total of 1,944 monks (18 monks per stupa) conducted the simultaneous consecrations.
On 3 November 2026, Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil formally presented the record certificate in Gelephu to the Governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City, Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, who is also the former Prime Minister of Bhutan. The event coincided with the Buddhist holy festival of Lhabab Duechen and marked the 18th anniversary of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's coronation.
India was officially represented by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, accompanied by the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya. Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay personally drove Minister Rijiju upon arrival. In recognition of India's support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck dedicated Chorten No. 76 specifically to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other notable attendees included the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, and actor Jet Li.
Important dates
| Project 108 announced by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck | 21 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Construction and consecration of 108 stupas within nine hours | 1 November 2026 |
| Guinness World Record certificate formally presented in Gelephu | 3 November 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- Country: Bhutan | Capital: Thimphu | Monarch: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
- Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is a planned special administrative region in southern Bhutan adjacent to the Indian state of Assam.
- Jangchub Chorten is a traditional Buddhist stupa design symbolising the enlightenment of the Buddha.
- Lhabab Duechen is one of the four major Buddhist festivals celebrating the descent of Gautama Buddha from the heavenly realm back to earth.
What candidates should do
- Note the exact numbers (108 stupas, 9 hours, 15 metres height, 1,944 monks) for one-liner questions in Banking, SSC, and State PSC exams.
- Review India–Bhutan bilateral ties, specifically border infrastructure and projects near Assam like Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- Revise the static Buddhist terminology, including types of stupas and major festivals like Lhabab Duechen.
PrepZen analysis
This event is significant from multiple competitive examination angles, covering International Affairs, Bilateral Relations, and Art & Culture. In UPSC and State PSC exams, cross-border connectivity and special economic zones like the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) bordering Assam represent key strategic developments in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
For Banking (IBPS, SBI, RBI) and SSC exams, questions are likely to test factual specifics, such as the number of stupas constructed (108), the duration taken (9 hours), the specific stupa dedicated to the Indian Prime Minister (Chorten No. 76), the location along the Mau Chhu river, and the Indian minister who represented the country (Kiren Rijiju).
Practice questions
Q1. Bhutan recently set a Guinness World Record by erecting and consecrating 108 Buddhist stupas in nine hours. At which location was this achieved?
Q2. Which Union Minister officially represented the Government of India at the 108 Stupas consecration event in Bhutan?
Q3. During the Project 108 event in Bhutan, which specific Chorten was dedicated by the King of Bhutan to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
Constructed 108 Buddhist stupas (Jangchub Chortens) in nine hours.
Located at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
🎯 Key Point: Bhutan sets world record by building 108 stupas in nine hours.
FAQs
What is the official title of the Guinness World Record achieved by Bhutan?
The record is titled 'The Most Stupas/Chortens Consecrated Simultaneously (Multiple Venues)'.
How long did it take to erect and consecrate the 108 stupas in Bhutan?
The construction and consecration were completed in nine hours, starting at 3:00 AM and finishing at 12:00 noon on 1 November 2026.
Who received the Guinness World Record certificate on behalf of Bhutan?
Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, Governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City and former Prime Minister of Bhutan, received the certificate from adjudicator Swapnil on 3 November 2026.
What type of stupas were built during Project 108 in Bhutan?
They are Jangchub Chortens, also known as Stupas of Enlightenment, each standing 15 metres tall.
Sources and references
- dailybhutan.com (www.dailybhutan.com)
- lingtravelbhutan.com (lingtravelbhutan.com)
- clickpetroleoegas.com.br (en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br)
- dailybhutantimes.com (dailybhutantimes.com)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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