In a special gesture towards the people of Mongolia, four Holy Relics of the Lord Buddha were taken from India to Mongolia for an 11-day exposition as part of the celebration of Mongolian Buddha Purnima that fell on 14th June 2022. A 25-member delegation, led by the then Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, who accompanied the sacred relics, left for Mongolia on 12th June 2022. The Holy Relics were displayed at the Batsagaan Temple within the premises of Gandan Monastery. The Holy Buddha Relics, which were housed in the National Museum, were known as the ‘Kapilvastu Relics’ as they were first discovered from a site in Bihar, believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu, in 1898.

Recalling the visit of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to Mongolia in 2015, the Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju said that Shri Narendra Modi was the first-ever Prime Minister of India to visit Mongolia, and taking the relics to Mongolia is an extension of the vision of the Prime Minister to revive relations with the countries with whom India have had cultural and spiritual ties centuries ago.

The 25-member delegation included Smt. Amita Prasad Sarbhai, JS, Ministry of Culture, official media team headed by ADG, Smt. Nanu Bhasin, technical experts from National Museum, representatives of International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) together with famous Indian singer Mohit Chauhan, the Cultural Envoy of Mongolia.

Preparation for the departure of the Holy Relic from New Delhi, India in IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft

The Holy Relics left from New Delhi, India with the delegation following the customary ceremonies. These Relics belong to 22 of the special Relics kept in National Museum, New Delhi, India

Holy Relics of the Buddha welcomed with Mongaolian traditional Prayers and Rituals

The Holy Relics were received with great reverence and ceremonially at the Ulaanbaatar International Airport by H.E Ms. Chinbat Nomin, Culture Minister of Mongolia, Ms. Saranchimeg, MP and Chairperson of India Mongolia Friendship Group, Mr. Khamba Nomun Khan, Advisor to the President of Mongolia, and a large number of monks among other dignitaries.

Welcome of Delegation from India in Gandan Monastery, Mongolia

The Holy Relics were thereafter ceremoniously welcomed at Gandan Monastery with prayers and Buddhist chants. A large number of Mongolian people gathered to pay homage to the sacred Buddha Relics. The Relics were handed over to Gandan Monastery in the presence of Buddhist monks from Gandan Monastery for safekeeping ahead of 11-day expositions.

President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh paying homage to the Holy Relic at Gandan Monastery

Devotees offering of Prayers at Gandan Monastery

Cultural Performance during the exposition

Offering of prayers by Bakula Rinpoche and other prominent monks of Mongolia

People ready to pay homage to the Holy Relic before its departure

A large number of prominent monks, devotees along with the then Indian Ambassador to Mongolia, M P Singh offering prayer to the Holy Relic before its return to India

Former Union Minister Arjun Meghwal received the holy relics at Hindon Air Base, India. Due to popular demand, the display of the Holy Relics had to be extended in Mongolia.