Arunachal Pradesh: 31k devotees visit sacred Buddha relics during seven-day exposition in Tawang
The exposition was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi.
The sacred relics arrived in Tawang on October 31 from the National Museum, New Delhi. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu ceremonially received them in the presence of Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
During the seven-day exposition, Buddhist monks, senior citizens and devotees from different parts of Tawang district and neighbouring areas visited Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery) to offer prayers and seek blessings.
As part of the programme, Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated two special exhibitions at the monastery.
The first, titled ‘Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa: The Story of the Holy Buddha Relics and Their Discovery’, organised by the IBC, highlighted the discovery of the Piprahwa relics in 1898.
The second exhibition, ‘Crossroads of Dhamma: Classical Legacies, Living Art, and Anthropological Perspectives’, curated by the National Museum, New Delhi, showcased the historical, artistic and cultural legacy of Buddhism.
The IBC also organised an international conference on ‘Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond’ at the Kalawangpo Convention Centre in Tawang on November 2.
Buddhist scholars, religious leaders and representatives from several countries participated in discussions on the dissemination and preservation of Buddhist teachings and heritage.
Following the conclusion of the Tawang exposition on November 7, the sacred relics will be transported to Bomdila by the Indian Air Force on Sunday.
After a brief halt at Upper Gompa, the relics will be enshrined at TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa), where they will be open for public darshan from November 8 to 13.
The relics will subsequently be taken to the Golden Pagoda at Namsai for public darshan from November 14 to 20 before returning to the National Museum, New Delhi, on November 21.
The exposition is part of the Government of India’s efforts to preserve and promote the country’s Buddhist heritage and strengthen cultural and spiritual ties with Buddhist communities across the world.
