Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in the national capital. The exhibition, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, brings together sacred relics repatriated after more than a century along with archaeological materials preserved in Indian museums.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha are not merely artefacts for India but an inseparable part of the country’s civilisation and spiritual heritage. He remarked that after 125 years, India’s heritage and legacy have returned home, allowing the people of the country to witness the relics and receive the blessings of Lord Buddha.
The Prime Minister noted that the exhibition marks an auspicious beginning to 2026 and expressed hope that, with Lord Buddha’s blessings, the year would usher in peace, prosperity and harmony for the world. He also paid tribute to monks and dharma acharyas present at the event, stating that their presence added spiritual energy to the occasion.
Highlighting the significance of the venue, Shri Modi said the historic Qila Rai Pithora complex symbolises India’s glorious past, and the exhibition adds a sacred chapter to its history. He recalled that the relics were taken out of the country during the colonial period and remained abroad for over a century. While they were treated as lifeless antiques elsewhere, he said India considers them sacred and integral to its civilisational identity, and therefore ensured that their auction was stopped and their return facilitated.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Godrej Group for its cooperation in the repatriation of the relics, stating that they have now returned to the land associated with Lord Buddha’s life, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana.
Emphasising the universal relevance of Buddha’s teachings, Shri Modi said the wisdom and path shown by Bhagwan Buddha belong to all humanity and unite people across nations. He cited the overwhelming public response witnessed during the recent international exhibitions of the relics in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia and Russia, where millions of devotees paid homage.
Recalling his personal association with Buddhist traditions, the Prime Minister said his birthplace Vadnagar was a major centre of Buddhist learning, and Sarnath—where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon—is his karmabhoomi. He shared experiences from his visits to Buddhist sites across the world, including Lumbini in Nepal, Japan, China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore, highlighting the enduring global impact of Buddha’s message.
The Prime Minister said India is not only the custodian of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics but also a living carrier of his timeless tradition. He underlined India’s efforts to preserve and develop Buddhist heritage sites both domestically and internationally, including restoration work in Nepal and Myanmar, and the discovery and preservation of Buddhist sites in Vadnagar and Baramulla.
He also highlighted initiatives to modernise Buddhist pilgrimage infrastructure, including the development of convention centres, meditation facilities, digital experience centres and improved amenities across key sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar and Sanchi. He said a Buddhist Circuit is being developed to improve connectivity and enhance the pilgrimage experience for devotees from across the world.
Referring to the preservation of Buddhist teachings, the Prime Minister said Lord Buddha’s teachings were originally in Pali, and India is making efforts to take the language to a wider audience. He noted that Pali has been accorded classical language status to strengthen research and enable a deeper understanding of the Dhamma in its original form.
Calling the exhibition a bridge between India’s glorious past and its future aspirations, Shri Modi urged people, especially students and youth, to visit and experience the exposition. He extended his best wishes for the success of the event and appealed to citizens across the country to participate.
Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kiren Rijiju, Ramdas Athawale and Rao Inderjit Singh, along with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and other dignitaries, were present at the event.
The exposition brings together the Piprahwa relics, discovered in 1898 and associated with ancient Kapilavastu, along with authentic artefacts from the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata. Organised thematically, the exhibition features immersive audio-visual presentations, digital reconstructions and interpretive displays to enhance public understanding of Lord Buddha’s life, teachings and legacy.
