Archive · 4 Jan 2026
Modi inaugurates Buddha relics exhibition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened an exhibition called 'The Light and The Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One' in New Delhi.
This exhibition shows very old and special things called relics that belonged to Buddha.
These relics were found in a place called Piprahwa in India a long time ago, in 1898.
They were taken away by a British man and his family kept them for many years.
Recently, India got them back and is now showing them to the public.
The exhibition has 88 old things and a model of where the relics were found.
It started on January 3, 2026, and people can visit it till June 2026.
These relics are very important to Buddhists all over the world.
PM Modi said that these relics are a part of India's heritage and that India is a living bearer of Buddha's traditions.
He also talked about the efforts to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage both in India and around the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'The Light and The Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One' exhibition in New Delhi on January 3, 2026.
The exhibition features sacred Buddhist relics, including bone fragments, gemstones, and ornaments, discovered in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh in 1898.
The relics were returned to India in 2025 after being taken by a British man and kept by his family for 127 years.
The exhibition includes an immersive display of 88 antiquities and a model of the excavation site, open to the public till June 2026.
Indian industrialist Pirojsha Godrej purchased the entire collection of 349 gemstones and agreed to loan a large portion to the National Museum for five years.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ministry of Culture, Indian industrialist Pirojsha Godrej
- What
- Inauguration of 'The Light and The Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One' exhibition featuring sacred Buddhist relics
- When
- January 3, 2026
- Where
- Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi
- Why
- To showcase the repatriated Piprahwa Gems and other sacred Buddhist relics, highlighting India's cultural and spiritual heritage
- Relics
- Bone fragments, gemstones, and ornaments
- Discovery
- 1898 by William Claxton Peppé
- Location
- Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh
- Returned to India
- 2025
- Exhibition Duration
- Till June 2026
- Exhibition Location
- Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi
- Number of Antiquities
- 88
- Total Relics
- 349 gemstones
Sources
PM Modi opens ‘The Light & The Lotus’: History of Piprahwa Gems returned to India after 127 years
PM to inaugurate exposition of Buddha-linked Piprahwa relics, repatriated gems in Delhi
PM Modi to inaugurate exposition of Buddha-linked Piprahwa relics, repatriated gems in Delhi today
‘Relics of Buddha integral part of India’s civilization’: PM Modi after inaugurating exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics
India living bearer of Lord Buddha's traditions: PM Modi showcases efforts to preserve, promote Buddhist heritage
‘This is the era of the Buddha’—PM Modi inaugurates exhibition of Piprahwa relics
‘India a carrier of Buddha’s traditions’: PM Modi at Piprahwa Relics inauguration
Sacred relics of Buddha not merely artefacts, but part of India's revered heritage: PM Modi
‘Homecoming’ of sacred Piprahwa gems, matter of joy and celebration: Shekhawat
PM Modi: Buddha’s Relics Part of India’s Heritage
Sacred relics of Buddha part of India’s heritage: PM
Buddha relics not mere artefacts but part of India’s revered heritage: PM Modi
