Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, on 3 January 2026 at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex. The exposition marks a historic moment by bringing together, for the first time, the Piprahwa relics recently repatriated after more than a century with authenticated relics and archaeological materials preserved at the National Museum and the Indian Museum.
Discovered in 1898, the Piprahwa relics occupy a pivotal place in the study of early Buddhism and are among the earliest and most significant relic deposits directly associated with Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence links the Piprahwa site to ancient Kapilavastu, widely identified as the region where Bhagwan Buddha spent his early life before renunciation.
The exposition underscores India’s enduring civilizational connection with Buddhist teachings and reflects the government’s commitment to preserving spiritual and cultural heritage. The successful repatriation of the relics highlights sustained governmental efforts, institutional collaboration, and innovative public–private partnerships.
Curated thematically, the exhibition features a reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi Stupa at its core, alongside sections such as Piprahwa Revisited, Life of Buddha, Aesthetic Language of Buddhist Teachings, Global Spread of Buddhist Art, and Repatriation of Cultural Artefacts. Enhanced by immersive audio-visual elements—films, digital reconstructions, and multimedia presentations—the exposition offers the public an accessible and enriching understanding of Bhagwan Buddha’s life, the journey of the Piprahwa relics, and their global cultural significance.
