Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One,” on 3 January 2026 at around 11:00 am at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi.
The landmark exposition brings together, for the first time, the Piprahwa relics repatriated after more than a century alongside authentic relics and archaeological materials from Piprahwa preserved in the collections of the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
Discovered in 1898, the Piprahwa relics occupy a central place in the archaeological study of early Buddhism. They are regarded as among the earliest and most historically significant relic deposits directly associated with Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence links the Piprahwa site with ancient Kapilavastu, widely identified as the region where Bhagwan Buddha spent his early life prior to renunciation.
The exposition reflects India’s enduring civilisational connection with the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha and highlights the Prime Minister’s commitment to preserving the nation’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The recent repatriation of the relics has been achieved through sustained governmental effort, institutional collaboration, and innovative public–private partnerships.
Curated as a thematically organised exhibition, its centrepiece is a reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi stupa, bringing together authentic relics from national collections and the repatriated gems. Other sections include Piprahwa Revisited; Vignettes of the Life of Buddha; Intangible in the Tangible – The Aesthetic Language of Buddhist Teachings; Expansion of Buddhist Art and Ideals Beyond Borders; and Repatriation of Cultural Artefacts: The Continuing Endeavour.
Enhancing public engagement, the exposition is supported by a comprehensive audio-visual and digital experience, featuring immersive films, digital reconstructions, interpretive projections, and multimedia presentations. These elements offer accessible insights into the life of Bhagwan Buddha, the discovery and journey of the Piprahwa relics, and the evolution of Buddhist art and philosophy across regions.
