In a landmark moment for India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate a historic international exposition titled “The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” on January 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the exposition celebrates the return and reunification of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha—repatriated to India in July 2025 after 127 years—with related relics, reliquaries, and gem treasures excavated at Piprahwa in 1898 and between 1971–1975. The return of these relics, halted from auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, marked one of India’s most significant cultural recoveries in recent decades.
Showcasing over 80 rare objects spanning the 6th century BCE to contemporary times, the exhibition brings together sculptures, manuscripts, thangkas, ritual artifacts, and reliquaries from leading national museums and cultural institutions. Among the highlights are treasures from the Indian Museum, Kolkata; relics from the 1898 Kapilavastu excavation led by William Claxton Peppé; artifacts from the 1972 archaeological missions; and the monolithic stone coffer that originally safeguarded the gem relics.
For the first time since their discovery at Kapilavastu, these sacred relics—long dispersed across different collections—will be viewed together, symbolizing unity and the enduring global resonance of the Buddha’s message. The event also reaffirms India’s position as the birthplace of Buddhism and a steward of its philosophical and artistic traditions.
The inauguration ceremony is expected to witness the presence of Union Ministers, Ambassadors, senior officials, Buddhist monastic leaders from India and abroad, scholars, and members of the art and heritage community.
Recently, India has successfully repatriated 642 antiquities. The return of the Piprahwa relics, achieved through collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the international Buddhist community, stands as a milestone in that effort—one that underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding and sharing its civilizational legacy with the world.
The exhibition, open to the public from 4th January, invites visitors to reflect on the legacy of the Awakened One and the timeless light of the Dhamma that continues to guide humanity.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
