Buddha’s Piprahwa Relics to Be Displayed in Arunachal Pradesh

The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha will be displayed for public veneration in Arunachal Pradesh from October 31 to November 21, 2026. Preserved at the National Museum in New Delhi, the relics will be transported by Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters.

Venues and programme

The exposition is organised by the Ministry of Culture with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the National Museum. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is scheduled to attend the inaugural ceremony at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, or Tawang Monastery, on October 31.

The relics will be at Tawang Monastery from November 1 to 7, TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa) in Bomdila from November 8 to 13, and the Golden Pagoda in Namsai from November 14 to 20. They are due to return to the National Museum on November 21. An exhibition on the discovery and repatriation of the Piprahwa heritage will accompany the display at all three locations.

The programme also includes an international conference, “Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond”, bringing together monks, scholars and delegates from India and six other countries.