Sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha to be displayed in Arunachal Pradesh from October 31
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New Delhi, October 30 : Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the National Museum, New Delhi, will organise an exposition of the Holy Relics of Bhagwan Buddha in Arunachal Pradesh from Oct 31 to Nov 21, 2026.
The exposition will cover three important Buddhist centres Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai providing devotees and visitors an opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha.
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 will witness the participation of representatives of the state government, Buddhist monks, religious institutions and devotees.
The Holy Relics, currently preserved at the National Museum, will begin their journey on the night of October 30. They will be transported from Air Force Station Palam to Guwahati by a special Indian Air Force aircraft and subsequently taken to Tawang by helicopter. The installation ceremony at Tawang Monastery is scheduled between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM on October 31. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu will attend another inaugural function on November 1.
A journey of faith, peace and devotion. 🪷✨
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) October 29, 2026
The revered relics of Lord Buddha will travel from Delhi to Arunachal Pradesh, bringing devotees together to reflect on his timeless teachings of compassion, wisdom and harmony.
📍 Tawang
1-7 November
📍 Bomdila
8-14 November… pic.twitter.com/26otmF3hoL
The exposition will remain at Tawang Monastery from November 1 to 7, followed by TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa) in Bomdila from November 8 to 13 and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai from November 14 to 20. The relics will return to the National Museum on November 21.
The exposition coincides with Lhabab Düchen, an important Tibetan Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha's descent from the heavenly realm. The Sacred Relics originate from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh, an archaeological site associated with ancient Kapilavastu. Excavations conducted in 1898 and between 1971 and 1977 revealed relics traditionally associated with Bhagwan Buddha.
Alongside the exposition, the IBC will organise an exhibition titled Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa and an international conference on 'Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond' in Tawang on November 2.