Embassy of India

Exposition of Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha in Bhutan

In a profound gesture of spiritual and cultural bonds, the sacred Relics of the Lord Buddha, were in the Kingdom of Bhutan for a public exposition from 8th to 25th November, 2025 from the National Museum in New Delhi. The Holy Relics were enshrined for public veneration at the prestigious Grand Kuenray Hallof Tashichhodzong in Thimphu.

2. The exposition coincided with the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) in Thimphu, and with the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and a high-level delegation of senior Indian monks and officials, accompanied the Holy Relics on their journey to Bhutan on 08 November 2025.

3. In a significant gesture, Prime Minister of India and His Majesty the King of Bhutan prayed before the Holy Piprahwa Relics on 11 November 2025 and in the holy presence of the sacred Relics, Prime Minister and His Majesty jointly inaugurated the Punatsangchuu-II Hydroelectric Project, and adopted several decisions for further strengthening India-Bhutan cooperation in various fields such as energy, healthcare, and finance.

4. To enrich the spiritual experience, the International Buddhist Confederation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India organised three accompanying exhibitions alongside the exposition: Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche): Tracing the life and sacred sites of the "Precious Guru" in India; Sacred Legacy of the Shakyas: The excavation and significance of Buddha Relics; and Life and Teachings of the Buddha: An immersive journey through the Buddha's path to enlightenment. During the visit, a special publication on the sacred sites associated with Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in India was released by the Prime Minister of Bhutan and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs of India on 24 November 2025.

5. The exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha received enormous response in Thimphu from the people, Royal Family and the Royal Government of Bhutan, as well as the participants in the Global Peace Prayer Festival. It is estimated that 108,000 persons visited the Holy Relics at the Tashichhodzong in Thimphu. Originally planned till 18 November, the exposition was extended by a week in view of the enormous public response and the wish of many more Bhutanese devotees who travelled to Thimphu from remote regions to seek blessings.

6. The conclusion of the exposition of Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong was marked by traditional prayers and ceremony and was attended by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs of India, His Eminence Laytshog Lopen of the Central Monastic Body, Minister of Home Affairs of Bhutan, venerable monks and senior officials from India and Bhutan. The Holy Relics were extended a Guard of Honour and ceremonial departure at the Paro Airport with the participation of the Laytshog Lopen of Central Monastic Body of Bhutan and Minister of Home Affairs of Bhutan. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, led the Government of India delegation for the return journey of the Holy Relics through special Indian aircraft to India on 25 November 2025.

7. The exposition of the Holy Piprahwa Relics was also a homage to the shared spiritual and cultural heritage of Buddhism between India and Bhutan. Bhutan has established Buddhist temples in Rajgir and Bodhgaya, and during the State visit of Prime Minister of India to Bhutan in November 2025, Government of India announced the grant of land to Bhutan for building a Buddhist temple at Varanasi. The deep spiritual link between the countries is a foundational pillar of our unique and special friendship, and continues to guide and enrich the bilateral partnership.

Thimphu
25 November 2025

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