Thousands of devotees have paid their reverent homage to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, currently enshrined at the Grand Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong in Thimphu—one of Bhutan’s most revered Tibetan Buddhist centres.

The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha were brought from India by a high-level delegation comprising senior Indian monks, who are blessing local devotees and conducting special religious services for Bhutan’s predominantly Buddhist population.

Since early morning, the monastery—where the relics, recognised as a National Treasure of India, are enshrined—has witnessed a continuous inflow of devotees. A long queue extending outside the premises on Friday vividly reflected the profound spiritual connection and devotion of the Bhutanese people.

In a historic and deeply spiritual gesture, the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, housed at the National Museum in New Delhi, arrived in Thimphu on 8 November 2025 as a “goodwill gift” from India to Bhutan for the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF). The relics will remain enshrined at the Grand Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong until 18 November 2025, after which they will be ceremonially returned to India.

The enshrinement of the relics commemorates the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, whose visionary leadership ushered in democracy in Bhutan and strengthened the nation’s identity as the world’s largest Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom.

The exposition also coincides with the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Bhutan from 11–12 November 2025, underscoring the deep spiritual and cultural ties between the two nations.

This Holy Relics Exposition—the second to be held in Bhutan—is organised by the BTI Section of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the National Museum. The exposition is being held in Thimphu from 8 to 18 November 2025.

To further enrich the spiritual experience of devotees, three thematic exhibitions curated by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) are being showcased at the Grand Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong and Kaza Throm:

1.         Guru Padmasambhava: Tracing the Life and Sacred Sites of the ‘Precious Guru’ in India

            2.         Sacred Legacy of the Shakyas: Excavation and Significance of Buddha Relics

            3.         Life and Teachings of the Buddha

India’s participation in this historic exposition reflects the enduring civilizational bonds and shared Buddhist heritage that continue to strengthen the friendship between India and Bhutan.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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