The Sacred Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha were transported from Tawang to Thubchog Gatsel Ling Monastery in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh on November 8, 2026, aboard an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter. The relics were accompanied by Shri Bhikkhu Khemachara, Deputy Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), along with officials from the Ministry of Culture, National Museum New Delhi, and IBC.
At the Army Helipad in Rupa, the relics were received with official protocol by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister for Education, Tourism, Rural Works Department and Public Libraries of Arunachal Pradesh, where a Guard of Honour was presented. The relics were then ceremonially transported to Bomdila with a brief halt at Upper Gompa before final enshrinement at Thubchog Gatsel Ling Monastery (Lower Gompa).
The public exposition period runs from November 8 to November 13, 2026, organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Museum New Delhi, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the International Buddhist Confederation. The first day of viewing on November 8 attracted approximately 4,000 devotees, including Buddhist monks, dignitaries, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. From November 9-13, devotees from Bomdila constituency and neighboring constituencies are scheduled to visit.
Following the enshrinement, two special exhibitions were inaugurated by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona in the presence of Padma Shri the 12th Guru Trulku Rinpoche. The exhibitions, organized by IBC and the National Museum, showcase the historical, spiritual and cultural heritage associated with Buddhism and the Sacred Relics.
This event follows a seven-day public exposition at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery) that concluded on November 7, 2026, which saw participation from thousands of devotees from all blocks of Tawang and neighboring areas. The relics will next proceed to the Golden Pagoda in Namsai for public darshan from November 14-20, 2026, before returning to the National Museum, New Delhi on November 21, 2026.
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