More than 21,000 devotees have visited Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, popularly known as Tawang Monastery, in Arunachal Pradesh to offer prayers and pay homage to the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha.
The exposition, which has drawn devotees from Tawang and neighbouring regions, will remain open to the public until November 7, 2026, providing monks, nuns and visitors an opportunity to pay their respects to the sacred relics.
The exposition holds special historical and spiritual significance as the relics have returned to Arunachal Pradesh after a gap of 13 years. Brought from the National Museum in New Delhi, they offer visitors an opportunity to connect with India’s rich Buddhist heritage.
The sacred relics were discovered at Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh in 1898. Their discovery marked an important milestone in the archaeological history of Buddhism. Preserved at the National Museum, the relics hold historical, archaeological and spiritual significance for Buddhist communities.
Special Exhibitions Showcase Buddhist Heritage
Two special exhibitions have also been organised at Tawang Monastery to highlight different aspects of Buddhism’s legacy.
The exhibition titled ‘Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa: The Story of the Holy Buddha Relics and Their Discovery’, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), traces the discovery and historical significance of the relics.
Another exhibition, ‘Crossroads of Dhamma: Classical Legacies, Living Art, and Anthropological Perspectives’, curated by the National Museum, showcases the historical, artistic and cultural dimensions of Buddhism.
Relics to Travel to Bomdilla and Namsai
Following the conclusion of the Tawang exposition, the sacred relics will be taken to TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa) in Bomdilla from November 8 to 13, 2026.
They will subsequently be displayed at the Golden Pagoda in Namsai from November 14 to 20. The relics are scheduled to return to the National Museum in New Delhi on November 21.
The exposition is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
-PIB
