New Delhi: After a historic wait of 127 years, some of India’s most sacred archaeological treasures linked to the life of Lord Buddha have returned to the country, marking a significant milestone in India’s cultural and spiritual journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition titled “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi on January 3.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture, the exhibition brings together, for the first time in over a century, the most comprehensive assemblage of the sacred Piprahwa relics, relic gems, and reliquaries of Lord Buddha. These include artefacts excavated in 1898 at Piprahwa (identified with ancient Kapilavastu), findings from later excavations conducted between 1972 and 1975, collections preserved at the Indian Museum in Kolkata, and the Peppé family collection that was repatriated to India in July 2025 following decisive intervention by the Government of India.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister described the occasion as a moment of national pride, stating that India’s treasured legacy had finally come back home. He noted that from now on, people across the country would be able to have darshan of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha and receive his blessings, reinforcing India’s role as the birthplace of Buddha Dhamma.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the broader civilisational significance of the event, calling the Prime Minister’s presence an inspiration and emphasising the importance of translating India’s spiritual ethos into governance and cultural leadership.
During his visit, the Prime Minister undertook a detailed walkthrough of the exhibition, offered prayers at the sculpture of the Seated Buddha, consecrated an ancient seal excavated from the Piprahwa site, planted a Bodhi tree sapling, released the official exhibition catalogue, and offered Chivar Daan to the Buddhist monks present.
Curated around the theme “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, the exposition showcases more than 80 exceptional objects spanning from the 6th century BCE to the present day. The collection includes sculptures, manuscripts, thangkas, ritual objects, reliquaries, and jewelled treasures, with the monolithic stone coffer—originally housing the sacred relics—forming the spiritual centrepiece of the exhibition.
The Piprahwa relics are considered among the most significant archaeological discoveries related to the life of Lord Buddha. Their reunification after more than a century stands as a testament to India’s renewed commitment to reclaiming, preserving, and honouring its cultural patrimony. Under India’s ongoing heritage diplomacy efforts, a total of 642 antiquities have been repatriated so far, with the return of the Piprahwa relics being regarded as a landmark achievement.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors, Buddhist monks, scholars, heritage experts, artists, students, and followers of Buddhism from India and abroad. The exhibition reaffirms the Ministry of Culture’s vision of positioning India as a global leader in heritage preservation while sharing its civilisational legacy with the world.
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