Sacred Buddha Relics from India to Be Displayed in Bhutan for Global Peace Festival

Thimphu, November 7, 2025 India is sending the sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Bhutan, where they will be displayed for public viewing as part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) in Thimphu. The relics, currently kept at the National Museum in New Delhi, will be on display from November 8 to 18. The festival coincides with the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, making the occasion even more special. A high-level Indian delegation, led by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar, along with senior monks and officials, will accompany the relics. This marks the second time the relics are being taken to Bhutan — the first was in 2011 during the royal wedding celebrations of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The relics will be exhibited at the Kuenrey Hall in Tashichho Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most important religious and administrative centers. Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, expressed deep gratitude to the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the visit, describing it as a gesture of friendship and shared spirituality. He also noted that the Global Peace Prayer Festival, conceived by Bhutan’s former king, aims to spread harmony and compassion across the world. The event is being organized through a collaboration between India’s Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). It will feature displays on the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, the story of Guru Padmasambhava, and the discovery of Buddha relics. The National Museum of India will also present selected sculptures from its Buddhist Art and Heritage Gallery. Buddhism remains a cornerstone of Bhutan’s identity, influencing not only its temples and traditions but also its philosophy of Gross National Happiness — a concept that balances spiritual well-being with social progress. The display of Buddha relics in Bhutan is a reminder of the centuries-old spiritual connection between the two nations. India has previously shared similar sacred relics with other Buddhist-majority countries such as Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Russia’s Kalmykia region. Each exhibition has served to strengthen global unity and promote the message of peace and compassion taught by Lord Buddha. As the sacred relics arrive in Bhutan, thousands of devotees and visitors are expected to participate in the prayers and celebrations, making this event a powerful symbol of shared heritage and universal peace. Sacred Buddha Relics from India to Be Displayed in Bhutan for Global Peace Festival The sacred relics of Lord Buddha from India are being taken to Bhutan for the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Thimphu from November 8 to 18. This special event also celebrates the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk. The relics, usually kept at the National Museum in New Delhi, will be placed for public viewing at the historic Tashichho Dzong. A delegation led by Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, along with monks and officials, will accompany the relics. This is the second time the relics are visiting Bhutan, the first being in 2011 during the royal wedding celebrations. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making this sacred visit possible and said the festival was created to promote peace and compassion across the world. The exhibition will also include displays about Lord Buddha’s life, Guru Padmasambhava, and Buddhist art from India. The event highlights the deep spiritual connection between India and Bhutan and their shared Buddhist heritage that continues to inspire peace and harmony globally.