**Executive Summary**
The 10-day exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha’s chief disciples, Arhant Sariputra and Arhant Maudgalyayana, concluded at the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery in Mongolia on June 9, 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Culture and several partner organizations, the event saw approximately one lakh devotees pay tribute to the relics. The sacred items, which hold "Head of State" status for protocol, were returned to India via a special Indian Air Force flight on June 10, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Exposition Logistics and Organization**
* The exposition ran from May 31 to June 9, 2026, opening on the occasion of Mongolian Buddha Purnima.
* The event was organized by the National Museum of India, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
* The relics were transported to and from Mongolia via special Indian Air Force flights.
* This marks one of the few times these specific relics have been sent abroad, following previous expositions in Thailand and a 2022 visit to Mongolia.
**Diplomatic and Spiritual Significance**
* The event was a result of an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Mongolian President’s State Visit to India in October 2025.
* The exposition aimed to strengthen centuries-old civilizational, spiritual, and cultural ties between India and Mongolia.
* The Holy Relics were accorded the security and protocol status equivalent to a Head of State.
**Cultural and Subsidiary Events**
* Three special exhibitions were organized on the sidelines:
* *Sariputta and Moggallana – A Journey of Wisdom, Devotion and Relics*
* *From India to Mongolia: The Transmission of Buddha Dhamma Across Inner Asia*
* *Vessels of Light: Iconography, Relics and Path of Dhamma*
* To symbolize enduring friendship, a Mongolian plant sapling was presented to the Indian delegation to be planted in Ladakh.
**Impact Analysis**
**People of Mongolia / Buddhist Devotees**
**Impact**
Approximately 100,000 citizens (out of a population of 3.4 million) were provided a rare opportunity to pay homage to the sacred relics.
**Action Required**
Devotees participated in religious ceremonies and visited the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery during the 10-day window.
**Government of India (Ministry of Culture & National Museum)**
**Impact**
Successfully executed a high-level cultural diplomacy initiative and showcased Indian museum collections through international exhibitions.
**Action Required**
Coordinated the safe transport, security, and ceremonial handover of the relics; organized three subsidiary scholarly exhibitions.
**Gandan Tegchenling Monastery**
**Impact**
Acted as the primary host and religious authority for the duration of the exposition.
**Action Required**
Oversaw the religious aspects of the event and managed the crowds and ceremonial protocols for the relics.
**Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh**
**Impact**
Represented the Indian government during the closing ceremonies and return of the relics.
**Action Required**
Facilitated the return of the relics to India and is responsible for the symbolic planting of the Mongolian sapling in Ladakh.
Key Entities Referenced
National Museum of India: The nodal institution under the Ministry of Culture responsible for organizing the international exposition and managing the sacred relics during the 10-day event.
Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, Mongolia: The central religious venue in Ulaanbaatar that hosted the exposition and oversaw the spiritual and public ceremonies for the holy relics.
International Buddhist Confederation (IBC): A primary co-organizing entity that facilitated the exposition and curated special exhibitions on the transmission of Buddhist heritage across Inner Asia.
Ministry of Culture: The primary government department that facilitated the diplomatic and cultural mission to send the sacred relics of Lord Buddha’s chief disciples to Mongolia.
Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka: A key religious organization associated with the organization and facilitation of the holy relics' exposition in Mongolia.
Ministry of Culture
Historic 10-Day Exposition of Holy Relics of Lord
Buddha’s Chief Disciples Concludes in Mongolia
Around One Lakh Devotees Pay Tribute to Sacred Relics of
Arhant Sariputra and Arhant Maudgalyayana in Mongolia
प्रव तथ: 10 JUN 2026 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha’s two Chief Disciples, Arhant Sariputra and Arhant Maudgalyayana,
returned to India today following a highly successful 10-day exposition at the Gandan Tegchenling
Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. At the request of the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, the National
Museum of India under the Ministry of Culture, in association with the Government of Madhya Pradesh,
Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), organised the
exposition of the Holy Relics from 31 May to 09 June 2026. The exposition was opened to the public on
the auspicious occasion of Mongolian Buddha Purnima on 31 May 2026.
The Holy Relics were ceremonially handed over on 30 May 2026 by the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri
Lakshman Prasad Acharya, to H.E. Mr. Enkh-Amgalan, Minister of Education of Mongolia, and His
Eminence Ven. Khamba Nomun Khan Geshe Lharampa D Javzandorj of the Gandantegchenling
Monastery.The exposition was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the State Visit of
the President of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to India in October 2025. India and Mongolia
share deep civilisational and spiritual ties rooted in Buddhism, and the exposition provided a unique
opportunity for the people of Mongolia to pay homage to the sacred Relics. During the 10-day exposition,
around one lakh devotees from across Mongolia visited the monastery to offer their respects. Mongolia
has a population of approximately 3.4 million.
Till date, these Relics have been sent only to Thailand and Mongolia. It may be recalled that the
exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha in Mongolia in June 2022 was a highly successful and
memorable event.
On the sidelines of the Exposition, the National Museum of India and International Buddhist
Confederation organised the following special exhibitions on Buddhism, which was highly appreciated by
the people, monks and scholars:
i) Sariputta and Moggallana – A Journey of Wisdom, Devotion and Relics – by International
Buddhist Confederation
ii) From India to Mongolia: The Transmission of Buddha Dhamma Across Inner Asia – by
International Buddhist Confederation
iii) Vessels of Light: Iconography, Relics and Path of Dhamma (Shakyamuni Buddha’s Journey
through Museum Collections of India) – by National Museum of IndiaThe Holy Relics enjoy the status of a Head of State in terms of protocol and security. They were brought
to Mongolia on 30 May 2026 by an Indian Air Force special flight accompanied by a delegation led by the
Hon’ble Governor of Assam Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya. The Relics were taken back to India on
today aboard an Indian Air Force special flight by a delegation led by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of
Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena. Ceremonial welcome and farewell ceremonies were organised at the
Gandan Tegchenling Monastery.
The Government of Mongolia extended full support for the exposition, while the Gandan Tegchenling
Monastery oversaw the religious aspects of the event in accordance with the revered status of the Holy
Relics. During the closing ceremony held on today at the monastery, speakers including His Eminence
Ven. Khamba Nomun Khan Geshe Lharampa D. Javzandorj, H.E. Mr. Enkh-Amgalan, Hon’ble Lieutenant
Governor of Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, President of the
Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, and Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, Secretary General of
the International Buddhist Confederation, expressed gratitude to the Government of India and Hon’ble
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for facilitating the exposition in Mongolia.The Holy Relics were ceremonially handed over by H.E. Mr. Enkh-Amgalan and His Eminence Ven.
Khamba Nomun Khan Geshe Lharampa D. Javzandorj to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Shri
Vinai Kumar Saxena before their return to India. At the airport prior to departure, Ambassador of India to
Mongolia, Shri Atul Malhari Gotsurve, presented a Mongolian plant sapling to the Hon’ble Lieutenant
Governor of Ladakh. The sapling will be planted in Ladakh as a symbol of the enduring friendship and
spiritual bond between India and Mongolia.
The delegation and the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery thanked the Embassy of India in Mongolia for its
active support in the successful organisation of the exposition. The event has further strengthened the
centuries-old spiritual and cultural ties between India and Mongolia.
***
M Annadurai
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