*Public Veneration of Relics in New Delhi on May 29; Historic Exhibition to be Organized in Mongolia on May 31
* India-Mongolia Cultural Partnership to Give New Momentum to the Buddhist Circuit and Global Tourism
TTT NEWS NETWORK
BHOPAL | 29 MAY 2026
Wednesday On the special initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the holy relics of Lord Buddha’s foremost disciples—Shri Arihanta, Shri Sariputra, and Shri Mahamoggallana—are being sent from the Sanchi Stupa to Mongolia for public veneration. On Thursday, May 28, these holy relics will be ceremonially dispatched to New Delhi aboard a special aircraft, accorded full state honours, from the Raja Bhoj Airport. This initiative is being organized through the joint coordination of the Ministry of Culture (Government of India), the Department of Tourism and Culture, the Mahabodhi Society of India, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The primary objective of this historic journey is to deepen bilateral relations between India and Mongolia, strengthen their shared spiritual heritage, and promote Buddhist pilgrimage tourism on a global scale. This initiative holds immense significance not only from a spiritual perspective but also in terms of tourism and cultural development.
Public Veneration of Relics in New Delhi :
Shri Shiv Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary for Culture, Religious Trusts & Endowments, and General Administration, informed that the holy relics will be placed for public veneration at the National Museum in New Delhi on May 29. On this occasion, revered monks from the ‘Mahabodhi Society of India’ will perform prayers and rituals in accordance with traditional rites.
Departure for Mongolia on May 30 Aboard a Special Indian Air Force Aircraft:
On May 30, the holy relics will be dispatched to Mongolia aboard a special aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force. To ensure the sanctity of religious traditions and the security of the relics throughout this sacred journey, a delegation comprising representatives from Madhya Pradesh Tourism and the Mahabodhi Society of India will accompany the relics.
Public Veneration of Sacred Relics on May 31 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s Capital :
Commencing on May 31, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar—the capital of Mongolia—this exhibition is expected to attract over one million devotees, monks, and tourists. This initiative will heighten global interest in India’s Buddhist pilgrimage circuit—particularly sites such as Sanchi—while simultaneously strengthening Mongolia’s own connection to its spiritual roots. By bringing India’s Buddhist heritage to a nation deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions like Mongolia, this endeavour further reinforces India’s role as the “Birthplace of Buddhism” and promotes international pilgrimage tourism.
A Significant Opportunity for Madhya Pradesh :
For Madhya Pradesh, this presents a pivotal opportunity to establish its Buddhist circuit on a global stage, thereby leading to an increase in the number of foreign tourists, their duration of stay, and their cultural engagement. Furthermore, this initiative will open new avenues for sustained collaboration between the monasteries, cultural institutions, and museums of both nations, fostering long-term cultural ties grounded in a shared heritage.
Sanchi Stupa: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Global Center of Faith
The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ‘Sanchi Stupa,’ stands as one of the most significant and ancient Buddhist sites in the world. The sacred relics preserved here are revered with the utmost devotion and veneration, regarded as symbolic representations of Lord Buddha himself. Lord Buddha’s two foremost disciples were Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, collectively known as the Buddha’s “Chief Disciples” (or “Foremost Pair”). Sariputra was accorded the highest stature in terms of *Prajna* (wisdom), while Moggallana held the supreme position regarding supernatural powers. Both disciples served as vital pillars of the Buddhist Sangha and played instrumental roles in the propagation and dissemination of the Dhamma. Their teachings continue to be remembered with profound reverence within the traditions of Buddhist philosophy and spiritual practice to this day. Notably, within a 30-kilometer radius of Sanchi, there exist several other significant Buddhist sites that continue to preserve and echo the teachings of Lord Buddha.
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