PM Modi To Unveil Grand Buddha Relics Exhibition In Delhi On Jan 3: All You Need To Know

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a major cultural exhibition in the heart of the capital on Saturday. The show brings together some of the oldest sacred relics linked to Lord Buddha. It marks a rare chance for people in the country to see these historic treasures up close.

What's Happening Tomorrow?

The event, titled "The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One," opens on Saturday at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi. PM Modi is scheduled to lead the opening ceremony at around 11 a.m.

On Friday, taking to X, PM Modi shared a post and said that the exhibition brings together the Piprahwa relics, ancient objects associated with Lord Buddha and other important archaeological material. Many of these relics were returned to India after being abroad for more than a century.

Why Is This Exhibition Important?

According to the government, the display highlights India’s deep cultural and historical ties to Buddhism. It also reflects efforts to preserve and share the country’s spiritual heritage with a wide audience.

The relics are believed to have been discovered more than 125 years ago at Piprahwa, an archaeological site in Uttar Pradesh that many historians link to the early life of Gautama Buddha. Through the exhibition, people can learn about the history and significance of these finds.

What Can Visitors Expect?

Organisers have prepared a structured display with explanatory panels and artefacts from different collections. The exhibition combines historical objects with narratives on Buddha’s life and teachings. It’s aimed at scholars, students, devotees, and interested members of the public alike.

The show is also expected to draw attention from abroad, particularly from countries with strong Buddhist traditions. It comes at a time when cultural ties with Buddhist nations are gaining renewed focus.

What Has the Prime Minister Said?

Taking to X, PM Modi has called the exhibition "a special day for those passionate about history, culture and the ideals of Bhagwan Buddha.” He highlighted the government’s aim to popularise Buddha’s noble message and strengthen the bond between young Indians and their cultural roots.

The event is being seen as a landmark moment in presenting the country’s ancient civilisational heritage to both domestic and international audiences.

Tomorrow, 3rd January, is a very special day for those passionate about history, culture and the ideals of Bhagwan Buddha.

At 11 AM, the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha, ‘The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One’, will… pic.twitter.com/V6bPwZjsK7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 2, 2026

More About the Exhibition?

The exhibition is organised around several themes, with a central reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi Stupa. Other sections focus on the life of Buddha, the rediscovery of Piprahwa, the spread of Buddhist art beyond borders, and the ongoing efforts to repatriate cultural artefacts.

To enhance understanding, the exposition includes films, digital reconstructions, projections and multimedia displays that trace the journey of the relics and their wider cultural meaning.