21,000 Devotees Visit Tawang Monastery to Pay Homage to Buddha Relics

CNB WORLD TIMES

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: More than 21,000 devotees have visited Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, popularly known as Tawang Monastery, to offer prayers and pay homage to the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha. The exposition has attracted devotees from Tawang and neighbouring regions of Arunachal Pradesh and will remain open to the public until November 7, 2026.

The exposition holds special historical and spiritual significance as the sacred relics have returned to Arunachal Pradesh after a gap of 13 years. Brought from the National Museum in New Delhi, the relics provide Buddhist monks, nuns, devotees and visitors an opportunity to seek blessings and connect with India's rich Buddhist heritage.

The sacred relics were discovered at Piprahwah in Uttar Pradesh in 1898, marking a significant milestone in the archaeological history of Buddhism. Preserved at the National Museum, New Delhi, they hold immense historical, archaeological and spiritual importance for Buddhist communities.

Two special exhibitions have also been organised at Tawang Monastery to showcase the legacy of Buddhism. The exhibition titled 'Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa: The Story of the Holy Buddha Relics and Their Discovery', organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), highlights 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, New Delhi, presents the historical, artistic and cultural dimensions of Buddhism.

Following the conclusion of the Tawang exposition, the sacred relics will be taken to TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa), Bomdilla, from November 8 to 13, 2026. They will subsequently be displayed at the Golden Pagoda in Namsai from November 14 to 20, before returning to the National Museum, New Delhi, on November 21, 2026.

The exposition is being organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The initiative reflects the government's commitment to preserving and promoting India's rich Buddhist heritage while spreading the timeless teachings of Bhagwan Buddha, including peace, compassion, wisdom and universal brotherhood.