Last Updated on November 3, 2026 9:54 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
By S. N. Verma
New Delhi: The sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha have drawn thousands of devotees to Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, popularly known as Tawang Monastery, in Arunachal Pradesh, turning the ongoing exhibition into a significant spiritual gathering. Large numbers of devotees from Tawang and neighbouring areas have been visiting the monastery to offer prayers and pay their respects. During the first three days, the exhibition witnessed an overwhelming response, with long queues of devotees waiting for an opportunity to seek blessings from the holy relics.
The strong turnout reflects the deep-rooted faith of the people in Lord Buddha and his timeless teachings of compassion, peace, wisdom and universal brotherhood.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu formally welcomed the sacred relics, which were brought from the National Museum, New Delhi, to the historic Tawang Monastery. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with senior Buddhist monks, religious leaders and devotees, attended the ceremony marking the arrival of the relics and the inauguration of the exhibition.
The exhibition has been opened to Buddhist monks, senior citizens and the general public, providing an opportunity for people from different walks of life to experience the spiritual significance of the sacred remains and pay their respects.
Adding to the significance of the event, two special exhibitions are also being organised to familiarise visitors with the historical, archaeological and cultural legacy of Buddhism.
The International Buddhist Confederation has organised an exhibition titled The Search for the Holy Site Piprahwa, which traces the discovery of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics at Piprahwa in 1898. The exhibition highlights the archaeological findings and their importance in understanding the history and evolution of Buddhism.
Another exhibition, Confluence of Dhamma, curated by the National Museum, New Delhi, presents the rich Buddhist heritage through classical traditions, living art and anthropological perspectives. It showcases the historical, artistic and cultural development of Buddhism, offering visitors a deeper understanding of its enduring civilisational legacy.
The exhibition of the sacred relics will remain open at Tawang Monastery until November 7, 2026. The relics will subsequently travel to TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa) in Bomdila, where devotees can pay their respects from November 8 to 13.
The next destination will be the Golden Pagoda in Namsai, where the exhibition is scheduled to take place from November 14 to 20. The sacred relics are scheduled to return to the National Museum in New Delhi on November 21, 2026.
The travelling exhibition is providing devotees across Arunachal Pradesh with a rare opportunity to connect with the spiritual teachings of Lord Buddha while also celebrating the region’s rich Buddhist heritage.