Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a grand and historic exhibition of the sacred Piprahwa relics in New Delhi today. The exposition, titled "The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One," features bone fragments believed to be of Lord Buddha, a sandstone coffer, and precious offerings like ornaments and gemstones.
A Historic Homecoming and Exhibition
The event marks a significant moment for India's cultural and spiritual heritage. The relics, excavated in 1898 at Piprahwa in present-day Uttar Pradesh by William Claxton Peppe, have had a fragmented journey. After their discovery, portions were sent to the King of Siam (now Thailand) and England, while another part was kept at the Indian Museum in Calcutta (Kolkata).
The recent repatriation of a selection of relics from the Peppe family collection is a landmark achievement. These were listed for auction by Sotheby's Hong Kong in May 2024 but were successfully brought back to India in 2025 after decisive intervention by the Ministry of Culture, supported by global Buddhist communities.
Unprecedented Display of Sacred Treasures
For the first time since the original excavation, this exposition at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex brings together a comprehensive collection. It includes:
- Relics from the 1898 excavation.
- Treasures unearthed during the 1972 excavation.
- Reliquaries and jewelled treasures from the Indian Museum.
- The recently repatriated relics from the Peppe family collection.
- The original monolithic stone coffer where the gem relics and reliquaries were found.
An inscription in the Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha, enshrined by the Sakya clan around the 3rd century BC. The ministry stated that the exposition underscores India's role as the birthplace of Buddhism and reinforces its position as a global spiritual leader.
Public Viewing and Global Significance
Prime Minister Modi, who shared glimpses of the exposition on Friday, called upon all culture and Buddhism enthusiasts to visit. The inauguration ceremony saw the participation of Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, ambassadors, Buddhist monks, scholars, and students.
The exposition will open for public viewing from January 4 and will run for a couple of months. Officials highlight that the return of the Piprahwa relics is part of India's successful global engagement to reclaim its antiquities, with 642 such items repatriated so far.
These relics, holding immense spiritual value for Buddhists worldwide, represent one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Indian history. Their display in the national capital is a powerful testament to India's living civilizational legacy.
