India-Mongolia spiritual bond: Sacred Buddha relics draw thousands of devotees in Ulaanbaatar

The holy relics, brought from India for a ten-day exposition from May 31 to June 10, were received with deep reverence by thousands of devotees and members of the Sangha.

The exposition was inaugurated in the presence of Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Ambassador of India to Mongolia Atul Malhari Gotsurve, senior dignitaries of the Government of Mongolia, eminent Buddhist leaders, representatives of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, and distinguished guests from across the Buddhist world.

The initiative was earlier announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the State Visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to India in October 2025.

The event underscores the deep civilisational and spiritual bonds between India and Mongolia, rooted in the teachings of Lord Buddha.

Addressing the gathering, Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya described the occasion as historic, noting that the sacred relics embody the living light of enlightenment and carry a universal message of peace, compassion, and harmony.

He further observed that the relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana, preserved for centuries in the sacred stupas of Sanchi, represent one of India’s most treasured civilisational heritages. Their exposition in Mongolia, he said, reflects a profound gesture of trust, reverence, and friendship between the two nations.

Highlighting the enduring India–Mongolia partnership, the Governor recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s description of the two countries as “spiritual neighbours” connected through Buddhism for centuries. He also noted that the event coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the India–Mongolia Strategic Partnership.

Indian Ambassador to Mongolia Atul Malhari Gotsurve emphasised the continued relevance of Lord Buddha’s teachings of peace, harmony, social justice, and rational thought. He described India and Mongolia as strategic partners and “spiritual siblings” working closely to preserve and promote Buddhist heritage through initiatives such as the gifting of sacred Kanjur manuscripts, the Global Buddhist Summit, the Asian Buddhist Summit, digitisation of Buddhist texts, and academic collaboration between Nalanda University and Gandantegchenling Monastery.

The Ambassador noted that the relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana have previously been taken abroad only once, to Thailand in 2024, making their exposition in Mongolia a particularly significant occasion. He added that the relics, accorded a status akin to that of a Head of State in terms of protocol and security, were transported to Mongolia aboard a special Indian Air Force IL-76 (Gajraj) aircraft.

On the occasion, a special exhibition titled “Vessels of Light: Iconography, Relics and Path of Dhamma – Shakyamuni Buddha’s Journey through Museum Collections of India” was also inaugurated at the monastery premises.

Curated by the National Museum, New Delhi, the exhibition presents a visual narrative of the life, teachings, and artistic representations of Lord Buddha through select artefacts from India’s museum collections, highlighting the country’s rich Buddhist heritage and its continuing relevance in the modern era.

The exposition and exhibition have been jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the National Museum, New Delhi, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, and the Gandantegchenling Monastery, with support from the Governments of India and Mongolia.

The sacred relics will remain on public display for veneration until June 10, 2026.

The exposition is expected to draw thousands of Buddhist devotees and visitors, further strengthening the centuries-old spiritual bond between India and Mongolia and reaffirming their shared Buddhist heritage.