New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a landmark international exposition titled “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” on January 3, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi. The exposition is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture and marks one of the most significant cultural and spiritual events in recent years.
The exhibition showcases the Piprahwa Relics, reliquaries, and gem relics of Lord Buddha, which were recently repatriated to India after 127 years. This historic occasion symbolizes the reunification of the sacred gem relics with associated relics and reliquaries excavated earlier in 1898 and during subsequent excavations between 1971 and 1975 at the Piprahwa (ancient Kapilavastu) site.
A Historic Reunification of Sacred Relics
The Piprahwa relics were originally discovered in 1898 by archaeologist William Claxton Peppé at the ancient Buddhist stupa of Kapilavastu. Following their discovery, the relics were divided—one portion was gifted to the King of Siam (Thailand), another taken to England, while a third was preserved at the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
In July 2025, the Peppé family-held relics were successfully repatriated to India after decisive intervention by the Ministry of Culture, supported by Buddhist communities worldwide. The effort, undertaken through a public-private partnership, also halted an international auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, making the return a landmark achievement in India’s cultural diplomacy.
For the first time since the original excavation, the exposition brings together:
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Relics from the 1898 Kapilavastu excavation
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Treasures from the 1972 excavations
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Reliquaries and jewelled artifacts from the Indian Museum, Kolkata
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Recently repatriated relics from the Peppé family collection
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The monolithic stone coffer in which the gem relics and reliquaries were originally found
A Rare and Extensive Collection
The exhibition features over 80 rare objects spanning from the 6th century BCE to the present day, including sculptures, manuscripts, thangkas, ritual objects, and sacred artworks. Curated from multiple cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture, the collection represents the most extensive assemblage of relics attributed to Lord Buddha, reflecting profound philosophical meaning, artistic mastery, and global spiritual significance.
Reinforcing India’s Civilizational Leadership
The exposition highlights India’s role as the birthplace of Buddhism and reinforces its standing as a global spiritual and cultural leader. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has increasingly drawn upon its civilizational and spiritual heritage as part of its global engagement. To date, 642 antiquities have been repatriated, with the return of the Piprahwa relics regarded as one of the most significant achievements.
Distinguished Participation
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Union Ministers, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, venerable Buddhist monks, senior government officials, scholars, heritage experts, members of the art fraternity, art enthusiasts, followers of Buddhism, and students. The exposition reaffirms the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to heritage preservation, cultural leadership, and spiritual diplomacy, celebrating India’s timeless legacy and its enduring responsibility to preserve and share the heritage of Buddha Dhamma with the world.
