More than 21,000 devotees have visited Tawang Monastery in India’s Arunachal Pradesh to pay homage to sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, underscoring the enduring appeal of one of Buddhism’s most revered treasures.
The relics, on loan from the National Museum in New Delhi, returned to Arunachal Pradesh for the first time in 13 years and have drawn large crowds of monks, nuns and pilgrims from across the region. The exhibition at Tawang Monastery will continue until 7 November, offering visitors a rare opportunity to view relics closely associated with the founder of Buddhism.
The relics were discovered in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, in 1898 and are regarded as among the most significant Buddhist archaeological finds in India. Their display forms part of a wider effort to promote awareness of the country’s rich Buddhist heritage.
Alongside the exposition, visitors can explore two special exhibitions hosted at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, the formal name of Tawang Monastery.
One exhibition, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), traces the discovery and historical importance of the Piprahwa relics. Another, curated by the National Museum, examines Buddhism’s artistic, cultural and historical legacy through a collection of exhibits exploring the religion’s influence across Asia.
The event has transformed Tawang, home to India’s largest monastery and one of the most important centres of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet, into a focal point for Buddhist pilgrimage and scholarship.
Following their stay in Tawang, the relics will continue their journey across Arunachal Pradesh. They are scheduled to be displayed at TGL Monastery in Bomdila from 8 to 13 November, before moving to the Golden Pagoda in Namsai from 14 to 20 November. The relics will then return to the National Museum on 21 November.
Organised by India’s Ministry of Culture in partnership with the International Buddhist Confederation and the Arunachal Pradesh government, the exposition highlights the growing interest in Buddhist heritage tourism while offering thousands of devotees a rare spiritual experience centred on relics linked directly to the Buddha’s life and legacy.
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