New Delhi: In a special gesture towards the people of Mongolia, four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha are being taken from India to Mongolia for an 11-day exposition as part of celebrations of Mongolian Buddha Purnima falling on the 14th of this month.
A 25-member delegation, led by Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju accompanying the sacred relics will leave for Mongolia tomorrow. The Holy Relics will be displayed at the Batsagaan Temple within the premises of Gandan Monastery.
The Holy Buddha relics, currently housed in the National Museum, are known as the ‘Kapilvastu Relics’ since they are from a site in Bihar first discovered in 1898 which is believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu.
Briefing media in New Delhi today, Mr Rijiju said, it is another historic milestone in India-Mongolia relations and will further boost cultural and spiritual relations between the two countries. He said, Mr Modi was the first-ever Prime Minister of India to visit Mongolia and taking the relics to Mongolia is an extension of the vision of the Prime Minister to revive the relations with the countries with whom India has had cultural and spiritual ties for centuries.
The Minister said, India believes in peace and harmony and wants to spread this message throughout the world through the teachings of Lord Buddha. He said, the relics are being taken for an 11-day exposition as a special gift for the people of Mongolia who enjoy very special respect in their hearts for the sacred relics.
Briefing the media virtually, Culture Minister G.Kishan Reddy said, Lord Buddha is revered all over the world. He said, the relics will be displayed at the same Monastery which was visited by the Prime Minister in 2015.
The Relics will be accorded the status of a State Guest and will be taken in the same climate control case as it has been kept presently at the National Museum.
The relics will be received in Mongolia by the Culture Minister of Mongolia, Advisor to the President of Mongolia and a large number of monks among other dignitaries. The Lord Buddha relics available in Mongolia would also be displayed along with the relics from India.
