The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the National Museum New Delhi, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi, has organized the public exposition of Sacred Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha at Thubchog Gatsel Ling (TGL) Monastery in Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh.
The Sacred Relics arrived at the monastery on November 8, 2026, and will remain available for public darshan until November 13, 2026. The first day of the exposition witnessed 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.
The relics were transported from Tawang to Bomdila via an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter, accompanied by Shri Bhikkhu Khemachara, Deputy Secretary General of IBC, and officials from the Ministry of Culture, National Museum, and IBC. At the Army Helipad in Rupa, the relics were received with due protocol by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister for Education, Tourism, Rural Works Department and Public Libraries of Arunachal Pradesh, including a Guard of Honour. The relics proceeded to Bomdila with a ceremonial halt at Upper Gompa before enshrinement at Lower Gompa.
Following 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 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 Tawang and neighboring areas. The relics will next proceed to Golden Pagoda, Namsai, for public darshan from November 14-20, 2026, before returning to the National Museum, New Delhi, on November 21, 2026.