Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha

Newdelhi:3/1/26:Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, today at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister remarked that after one hundred and twenty-five years of waiting, India’s heritage has returned, India’s legacy has come back. He highlighted that from today, the people of India will be able to witness these sacred relics of Lord Buddha and receive his blessings. Shri Modi welcomed and extended greetings to all the guests present on this auspicious occasion. He noted that monks and dharma acharyas associated with the Buddhist tradition are also present and expressed his reverence towards them. He emphasized that their presence is giving new energy to this event. The Prime Minister underlined that at the very beginning of 2026, this auspicious celebration is highly inspiring. He expressed his wish that with the blessings of Lord Buddha, the year 2026 may usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and harmony for the world.

The Prime Minister remarked that wherever he travelled, he made efforts to bring back a symbol of Lord Buddha’s legacy. He highlighted that in China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia, he carried saplings of the Bodhi tree. He emphasized that one can imagine the profound message for humanity when a Bodhi tree stands in the botanical garden of Hiroshima, a city devastated by the atomic bomb.

Underlining that this shared heritage of Lord Buddha is proof that India is not connected merely through politics, diplomacy, and economy, but through deeper bonds, Shri Modi stated that India is connected through mind and emotions, through faith and spirituality. “India is not only the custodian of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics but also the living carrier of his tradition, exclaimed the Prime Minister. He noted that relics of Lord Buddha found in Piprahwa, Vaishali, Devni Mori, and Nagarjunakonda are living presences of Buddha’s message. He affirmed that India has preserved and safeguarded these relics in every form—through science and spirituality alike.

Union Ministers, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekawat, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Shri Ramdas Athawale, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Shri Vinay Saxena were present among other dignitaries at the event.

Background

The Exposition brings together, for the first time, the Piprahwa relics repatriated after more than a century with authentic relics and archaeological materials from Piprahwa that are preserved in the collections of the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata.

Discovered in 1898, the Piprahwa relics hold a central place in the archaeological study of early Buddhism. These are among the earliest and most historically significant relic deposits directly connected to Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence associates the Piprahwa site with ancient Kapilavastu, widely identified as the place where Bhagwan Buddha spent his early life before renunciation.

The exposition highlights India’s deep and continuing civilizational link with the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha and reflects the Prime Minister’s commitment to preserving India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The recent repatriation of these relics has been achieved through sustained government effort, institutional cooperation, and innovative public-private partnership.

The exhibition is organised thematically. At its centre is a reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi stupa, which brings together authentic relics from national collections and the repatriated gems.  Other sections include Piprahwa Revisited, Vignettes of the Life of Buddha, Intangible in the Tangible: The Aesthetic Language of Buddhist Teachings, Expansion of Buddhist Art and Ideals Beyond Borders, and Repatriation of Cultural Artefacts: The Continuing Endeavour.

To enhance public understanding, the exposition is supported by a comprehensive audio-visual component, including immersive films, digital reconstructions, interpretive projections, and multimedia presentations. These elements provide accessible insights into the life of Bhagwan Buddha, the discovery of the Piprahwa relics, their movement across regions, and the artistic traditions associated with them.