PM Modi, Inscribed relic casket from Piprahwa (Picture- Ministry of culture)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he will inaugurate the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics in Delhi on Saturday, calling it a special moment for those who care about India’s history, culture and the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha.In a post 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 related to Bhagwan Buddha, ‘The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One’, will be inaugurated at Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in Delhi.”The Prime Minister said the exposition brings together the Piprahwa relics that were repatriated after more than a century, along with authentic relics and archaeological material preserved at the National Museum in New Delhi and the Indian Museum in Kolkata. He further described the event as part of the government’s effort to popularise the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha and strengthen the connection between young people and India’s cultural roots. PM Modi also thanked those involved in bringing the relics back to India.
What are Piprahwa relics
The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 and are considered among the earliest and most important archaeological finds linked directly to Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence connects the Piprahwa site to ancient Kapilavastu, widely believed to be the place where Buddha spent his early life before renouncing worldly life.Officials say the exposition brings the repatriated relics together with national collections for the first time. It highlights India’s long civilisational link with Buddhism and the continuing relevance of Buddha’s teachings.The exhibition is organised around several themes, with a central interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi Stupa. Other sections focus on the life of Buddha, the rediscovery of Piprahwa, the spread of Buddhist art beyond India, and the ongoing efforts to repatriate cultural artefacts.To exposition includes films, digital reconstructions, projections and multimedia displays that trace the journey of the relics and their wider cultural meaning.