Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics associated with Bhagwan Buddha at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in Delhi on Saturday, January 3.
Announcing the event on X, PM Modi said, “Tomorrow, 3rd January, is a very special day for those passionate about history, culture and the ideals of Bhagwan Buddha. At 11 AM, the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, ‘The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One,’ will be inaugurated at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in Delhi.”
The exposition brings together the Piprahwa relics repatriated after more than a century, along with authentic relics and archaeological materials preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
Discovered in 1898, the Piprahwa relics hold a pivotal place in the study of early Buddhism and are among the earliest historically significant relic deposits associated with Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence links the site to ancient Kapilavastu, believed to be where Gautam Buddha spent his early life before renunciation.
Organized thematically, the exhibition features a reconstructed model inspired by the Sanchi Stupa at its centre, along with sections including:
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Piprahwa Revisited
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Vignettes of the Life of Buddha
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Intangible in the Tangible: The Aesthetic Language of Buddhist Teachings
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Expansion of Buddhist Art and Ideals Beyond Borders
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Repatriation of Cultural Artefacts: The Continuing Endeavour
To enhance public engagement, the exposition includes immersive films, digital reconstructions, interpretive projections, and multimedia presentations, offering insights into the life of Bhagwan Buddha, the discovery and journey of the Piprahwa relics, and the artistic traditions inspired by his teachings.
The event underscores India’s enduring civilizational connection to Buddha’s teachings and reflects the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
