In a milestone for India-Mongolia cultural and spiritual relations, the sacred relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana, the two chief disciples of Lord Buddha, were ceremonially enshrined at the Gandantegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar on the occasion of Buddha Purnima (Vesak Day) 2026.
The holy relics were received on Sunday with deep reverence by thousands of devotees, monks and members of the Buddhist Sangha. The exposition was inaugurated in the presence of Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, India’s Ambassador to Mongolia Atul Malhari Gotsurve, senior Mongolian government officials, prominent Buddhist leaders, representatives of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, and distinguished guests from across the Buddhist world.
The exposition was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the state visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to India in October 2025. The initiative reflects the deep spiritual and civilisational bonds shared by India and Mongolia through the teachings of Lord Buddha.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Acharya described the occasion as a historic moment and said the sacred relics embody the enduring light of enlightenment, carrying a universal message of peace, compassion and harmony.
He noted that the relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana, preserved for centuries in the sacred stupas of Sanchi, are among India’s most treasured civilisational inheritances. Their exposition in Mongolia, he said, represents a profound gesture of trust, reverence and friendship between the two nations.
Recalling PM Modi’s description of India and Mongolia as “spiritual neighbours,” Acharya highlighted that the event comes at a significant time as the two countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of their Strategic Partnership.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Gotsurve underscored the continued relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings of peace, harmony, social justice and rational thought. He said India and Mongolia, as strategic partners and spiritual siblings, have continued to deepen cooperation in preserving and promoting Buddhist heritage through initiatives such as the gifting of sacred Kanjur manuscripts, the Global Buddhist Summit, the Asian Buddhist Summit, digitisation of Buddhist manuscripts, and academic collaboration between Nalanda University and Gandantegchenling Monastery.
The ambassador also noted that the relics have travelled abroad only once before, during an exposition in Thailand in 2024, making their visit to Mongolia a particularly significant occasion. He further highlighted that the relics were accorded the status of a Head of State in terms of protocol and security and were transported to Mongolia aboard a special Indian Air Force IL-76 “Gajraj” aircraft.
Alongside the exposition, a special exhibition titled “Vessels of Light: Iconography, Relics and Path of Dhamma – Shakyamuni Buddha’s Journey through Museum Collections of India” was inaugurated at the monastery premises. Curated by the National Museum, New Delhi, the exhibition showcases India’s rich Buddhist heritage through a collection of artefacts and visual narratives depicting the life, teachings and artistic representations of Lord Buddha.
The exhibition and exposition have been organised through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the National Museum, New Delhi, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the International Buddhist Confederation, the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka and Gandantegchenling Monastery, with support from both the Indian and Mongolian governments.
The sacred relics will remain on public display for devotees and visitors until June 10. The Ministry of Culture expects thousands of Buddhist followers from across Mongolia to participate in the exposition, further strengthening the centuries-old spiritual connection between India and Mongolia and reaffirming their shared Buddhist heritage.
