IBNS-CMEDIA: The Indian government, in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the National Museum, New Delhi, is organising an exposition of the Holy Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha across Arunachal Pradesh from October 31 to November 21, 2026.
The exposition will cover three important centres of Buddhist faith and heritage — Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai — offering devotees and members of the public an opportunity to pay homage to the sacred relics.
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony at the historic Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, popularly known as Tawang Monastery, on October 31.
The programme is expected to be attended by senior representatives of the Arunachal Pradesh government, venerable members of the Buddhist Sangha, representatives of Buddhist institutions, devotees and other dignitaries.
The exposition is being organised in recognition of the profound spiritual significance of the Holy Relics and Arunachal Pradesh’s distinctive place in India’s Buddhist cultural landscape. It also reflects the Centre’s continued commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the country’s Buddhist heritage while strengthening cultural and spiritual ties with Buddhist communities in India and abroad.
Ceremonial Journey and Inauguration in Tawang
The Holy Relics, currently preserved at the National Museum in New Delhi, will begin their sacred journey with ceremonial observances at the museum on the night of October 30. They will subsequently be transported to Air Force Station Palam for their onward journey to Arunachal Pradesh.
According to the proposed itinerary, the relics are scheduled to depart from Palam in the early hours of October 31 aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft and arrive at Air Force Station Borjhar in Guwahati. They will then be transported by helicopter to Tawang.
Upon arrival, the Holy Relics will be received with traditional religious ceremonies and due reverence before being taken to Tawang Monastery for installation. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled to take place between 10 am and 11.30 am on October 31.
A separate inaugural function, along with the opening of the associated exposition and exhibition, is scheduled for November 1. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu will attend the event as the chief guest.
The exposition coincides with Lhabab Düchen, an important festival in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that commemorates the Buddha’s descent from the heavenly realm. The occasion is expected to bring together religious observances, cultural heritage and public participation in a spiritually significant setting.
The transportation and installation of the Holy Relics are being planned with particular attention to their sanctity, security and conservation requirements. The Ministry of Culture is coordinating with the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Air Force, the Arunachal Pradesh government, the National Museum and other concerned agencies to ensure the necessary operational arrangements.
Holy Relics to Travel to Bomdila and Namsai
Following the exposition in Tawang, the Holy Relics are scheduled to travel to Bomdila on November 8. They will be flown by helicopter to Rupa and subsequently transported by road to Bomdila.
The itinerary includes a ceremonial reception at Upper Gompa, followed by the installation of the relics at Lower Gompa. The inaugural ceremony there is scheduled between 3 pm and 4 pm.
On November 14, the Holy Relics will travel by road from Bomdila to Rupa before being flown by helicopter to Nalung Helipad in Namsai.
They will then be taken to the Golden Pagoda, where the installation and inaugural ceremony are scheduled between 11 am and noon.
Following the conclusion of public darshan in Namsai, the Holy Relics are scheduled to return to the National Museum in New Delhi on November 21, via Tezu Airport and Air Force Station Palam.
The proposed timings and transportation arrangements will remain subject to operational, weather and security considerations.
Sacred Piprahwa Relics: An Extraordinary Archaeological and Spiritual Heritage
The Holy Relics being taken to Arunachal Pradesh originate from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district, an archaeological site associated with ancient Kapilavastu and the Shakya tradition of Lord Buddha.
Piprahwa occupies an important place in the archaeological history of Buddhism. In 1898, British engineer and archaeologist William Claxton Peppé excavated a stupa at the site and discovered reliquaries containing bone fragments and precious objects, bringing international attention to the site’s historical and religious significance.
The Archaeological Survey of India subsequently conducted further excavations at Piprahwa between 1971 and 1977 under the supervision of archaeologist K. M. Srivastava. Excavations at deeper levels led to the discovery of two additional reliquary caskets containing ancient bone relics traditionally associated with Lord Buddha.
The larger casket contained 12 sacred bone fragments, while the smaller one contained 10, taking the total number of relics recovered during these excavations to 22. Of these, 20 are preserved at the National Museum in New Delhi, while the remaining two are housed at the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
Comprising ancient osteological remains, the relics are exceptionally rare and hold profound religious significance for Buddhist communities. Their archaeological and historical importance is complemented by the deep spiritual reverence associated with the centuries-old Buddhist tradition of relic worship.
Following the Mahāparinirvāṇa of Lord Buddha at Kushinagar, the tradition of enshrining his corporeal relics in stupas developed into an important expression of Buddhist devotion. Over the centuries, these sacred sites evolved into centres of pilgrimage, religious learning and cultural exchange.
The forthcoming exposition will provide devotees with an opportunity to connect with this ancient spiritual tradition while highlighting the importance of preserving India’s archaeological and religious heritage for future generations
