India sends sacred Buddhist relics to Mongolia for 10-Day public exposition

Story by ANI | Posted by Vidushi Gaur | Date 30-05-2026

Representational image

New Delhi/Ulaanbaatar

India on Saturday transported the sacred relics associated with Lord Buddha to Mongolia for a 10-day public exposition, underscoring the strong spiritual and cultural connections shared by the two nations.

The revered relics were flown from New Delhi to Ulaanbaatar aboard an Indian Air Force IL-76 transport aircraft, popularly known as Gajraj. The mission was described as a significant example of India's cultural diplomacy and its efforts to strengthen civilisational ties through shared Buddhist heritage.

In a message on social media, the Indian Air Force noted that the relics are deeply revered across the Buddhist world and hold special significance for Mongolia, where Buddhism continues to play an important role in society and culture.

The Air Force said the journey symbolised more than the transportation of treasured relics, carrying with it the values of faith, friendship and a shared spiritual legacy that has connected India and Mongolia for centuries.

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) also announced the departure of the sacred relics of Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Mahamoggallana, two of Lord Buddha’s foremost disciples. The relics have been sent for a public display at the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar from June 1 to June 10.

The exposition will be formally inaugurated at the monastery before being opened to devotees and visitors for public veneration throughout the ten-day period.

Earlier this week, Madhya Pradesh minister Prahlad Singh Patel highlighted the global significance of the relics, noting that they had previously been displayed in Cambodia and Thailand, where large numbers of devotees paid their respects.

Patel said the relics are a matter of special pride for Madhya Pradesh as they are preserved at Sanchi. He pointed out that the relics of Sariputta and Mahamoggallana are uniquely housed there, making Sanchi an important centre of Buddhist heritage in India.

The exhibition in Mongolia is expected to further strengthen cultural exchanges and deepen the long-standing spiritual bond between the two countries, which are linked by a shared Buddhist tradition.