On Buddha Purnima, commemorated as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, the National Museum in New Delhi held a solemn veneration of Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha. This event was attended by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, who led ceremonial floral offerings alongside other dignitaries. The gathering upheld the values of compassion and harmony enshrined in Buddha's teachings. Cultural activities and the display of artworks related to Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions were featured. Interactive workshops for visitors further enriched the experience with hands-on learning about Buddhist iconography, Thangka painting, and more.
**Summary:**
The National Museum hosted a ceremonial celebration on Buddha Purnima, featuring veneration of Sacred Relics, along with cultural activities emphasizing teachings of compassion and harmony. Union Ministers Shekhawat and Rijiju led the event, accompanied by other dignitaries, scholars, monks, and visitors. The program included discussions about Buddhist iconography and an engaging series of workshops offering hands-on experiences related to devotional arts.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A government ministry, likely responsible for cultural affairs.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister and Minister of Culture and Tourism.
Shri Kiren Rijiju: Union Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Minority Affairs.
Vesak Day: A Buddhist holiday.
National Museum: A museum hosting the Vesak Day celebrations and veneration of Sacred Relics.
Buddha Purnima: Another name for Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, a sacred Buddhist day.
Buddha Jayanti: Another name for Vesak or Buddha Purnima, a sacred Buddhist day.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - indicating the source and location of the press release.
New Delhi: City where the National Museum is located.
Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha: Relics of Lord Buddha venerated during the event.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: The Prime Minister of India.
global Buddhist community: The worldwide community of Buddhists.
ashtamahapratiharya: The eight great miracles of Buddha's life.
Mahayana Buddhism: A major branch of Buddhism.
Vajrayana Buddhism: A major branch of Buddhism.
Bodhisattvas: Enlightened beings in Buddhism.
Panchatathagata: The Transcendental Buddhas.
Ishtadevatas: Tributary deities.
Shri Gurmeet Singh Chawla: Director General, National Museum.
Shri Abhijit Halder: Director General, International Buddhist Confederation.
International Buddhist Confederation: An organization related to Buddhism.
Shri Samar Nanda: Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture.
Buddha Gallery: A gallery in the National Museum dedicated to Lord Buddha.
Kapilavastu Relics: Relics excavated from Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.
Piprahwa: Location where the Kapilavastu Relics were excavated.
Uttar Pradesh: State in India where Piprahwa is located.
Mathura: A place known for early iconic imagery of Buddhism.
Gandhara: A place known for early iconic imagery of Buddhism.
Sarnath: A location noted for the stylistic development of Buddhism.
Pala: A historical period related to the stylistic development of Buddhism.
Chola: A historical period related to the stylistic development of Buddhism.
Bhaumakara: A historical period related to the stylistic development of Buddhism.
Thangka Gallery: A gallery featuring scroll paintings.
Bhavachakra Wheel of Life: An exquisite scroll painting.
Ministry of Culture
Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and
Shri Kiren Rijiju Honour Buddha’s Legacy at Vesak
Day Celebrations in National Museum
National Museum Hosts Solemn Veneration of
Sacred Relics on Buddha Purnima
Buddha Jayanti Observed with Reverence, Culture
and Creativity
Posted On: 12 MAY 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi
On the sacred occasion of Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, the National Museum in
New Delhi commemorated the day with the veneration of the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, an event steeped
in devotion, culture, and artistic expression.
The ceremonial floral offerings were led by Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju.Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, on behalf of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, conveyed greetings to the
global Buddhist community and emphasized the relevance of Buddha’s teachings of compassion and harmony
in today’s world. He expressed deep satisfaction at witnessing such wide participation and reverence for the
Sacred Relics.
Union Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, focused on one of the steles depicting the Buddha's
life events, particularly the eight great miracles (ashtamahapratiharya). The guests were also intrigued by the
iconography of the various Buddhist deities in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, including the
Bodhisattvas, the Crowned Buddha, the Transcendental Buddhas (Panchatathagata), goddesses, and Tributary
deities (Ishtadevatas).Distinguished dignitaries including Shri Gurmeet Singh Chawla, Director General, National Museum; Shri
Abhijit Halder, Director General, International Buddhist Confederation; and Shri Samar Nanda, Joint
Secretary, Ministry of Culture, joined venerable monks, scholars, and visitors for the auspicious event.
The Ministers embarked on a guided tour of the Buddha Gallery, exploring the life, teachings, and enduring
philosophy of Lord Buddha through a breathtaking collection of art and antiquities. Of special reverence were
the Kapilavastu Relics, excavated from Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, enshrined in the gallery and central to the
day’s celebration.
The exhibition chronicled Buddhism’s evolution from aniconic representations to the early iconic imagery in
Mathura and Gandhara, and its stylistic development through Sarnath, Pala, Chola, and Bhaumakara periods.
Iconography of Bodhisattvas, Panchatathagatas, and Ishtadevatas in Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions
enriched the spiritual and artistic experience.
Adding vibrancy to the solemn occasion was the Thangka Gallery, where exquisite scroll paintings including
the Bhavachakra (Wheel of Life) captivated the audience. The Ministers expressed admiration for the depth of
symbolism and meditative value reflected in these devotional artworks.
Concluding the celebration, visitors—young and old—engaged in a series of interactive workshops and DIY
counters, featuring activities like Prayer Flag Making, Buddhist Iconography Learning, Thangka Colouring
Sheets, Selfie Booths, Miniature Buddha Crafting, and Buddhist Film Screenings.
The Buddha Gallery remained open for public viewing throughout the day, reflecting the enduring legacy and
spiritual guidance of Lord Buddha on this most sacred day.
***
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2128244)