The seven-day sacred exposition of the holy relics of Shakyamuni Buddha concluded at Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, attracting more than 31,000 devotees and visitors.
The exposition was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh government and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi.
The sacred relics were brought from the National Museum in New Delhi to Tawang on October 31 with ceremonial arrangements. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu received the relics in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
During the seven-day event, Buddhist monks, senior citizens and devotees from different parts of Tawang district and neighbouring areas visited Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, popularly known as Tawang Monastery, to offer prayers and seek blessings.
The large turnout reflected the spiritual and cultural significance of the sacred relics among the people of the Himalayan region.
As part of the exposition, Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated two special exhibitions at the monastery.
The first exhibition, titled Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa: The Story of the Holy Buddha Relics and Their Discovery, organised by the IBC, highlighted the discovery of the Piprahwa relics in 1898.
The second exhibition, Crossroads of Dhamma: Classical Legacies, Living Art, and Anthropological Perspectives, curated by the National Museum, New Delhi, showcased the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of Buddhism.
Meanwhile, the IBC organised an international conference titled Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond at the Kalawangpo Convention Centre in Tawang on November 2.
The conference brought together Buddhist scholars, religious leaders and representatives from India and several other countries to discuss the spread, preservation and cultural significance of Buddhist teachings in the Himalayan region and beyond.
The exposition concluded after seven days of religious ceremonies, prayers and cultural activities, highlighting Tawang’s importance as a major centre of Buddhist faith and heritage.
