Press Information Bureau

The Sacred exposition of the Holy Relics of  Shakyamuni Buddha organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi, concluded its Tawang leg today, 7 November 2026, after witnessing an overwhelming response from devotees and visitors. A total of 31,000 devotees and visitors visited Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery) to have darshan of the sacred relics during the seven-day exposition.

The Sacred Relics arrived in Tawang on 31 October 2026 from the National Museum, New Delhi, with due protocol and ceremonial arrangements. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, ceremonially received the sacred relics in the presence of the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The sacred exposition provided an opportunity for Buddhist monks, senior citizens and the general public to pay their respects, offer prayers and seek blessings in the presence of the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha. Throughout the seven days, Tawang Monastery witnessed an outpouring of devotion, with devotees arriving from all blocks of Tawang district and neighbouring areas. The large turnout reflected the deep spiritual and cultural significance of the sacred relics among the people of the region.

As part of the exposition, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu inaugurated two special exhibitions at Tawang Monastery. The exhibition ‘Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa: The Story of the Holy Buddha Relics and Their Discovery’, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), showcased the historical discovery of the Piprahwa relics in 1898. The second exhibition, ‘Crossroads of Dhamma: Classical Legacies, Living Art, and Anthropological Perspectives’, curated by the National Museum, New Delhi, offered visitors an opportunity to explore the historical, artistic and cultural legacy of Buddhism and its enduring influence.

On 2 November 2026, the International Buddhist Confederation organised an international conference titled ‘Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond’ at the Kalawangpo Convention Centre, Tawang. The conference brought together Buddhist scholars, religious leaders and representatives from India and several other countries to deliberate on the dissemination and preservation of Buddhist teachings and heritage in the Himalayan region and beyond.

Following the conclusion of the sacred exposition at Tawang on 7 November, the Sacred Relics will continue their journey to  Bomdila as the next destination of exposition. On 8 November 2026, the Sacred Relics will be transported to Bomdila by the Indian Air Force. After a brief halt at Upper Gompa, the relics will be enshrined at TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa), Bomdila, where they will remain open for public darshan from 8 to 13 November 2026.

Thereafter, the Sacred Relics will move to the Golden Pagoda, Namsai, where the Sacred Relics will be available for public darshan from 14 to 20 November 2026, before returning to the National Museum, New Delhi, on 21 November 2026.

The exposition reflects the Government of India's continued commitment to preserving and promoting India's rich Buddhist heritage and strengthening the country's cultural and spiritual connections with Buddhist communities across the world.

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M Annadurai