New Delhi, May 27: A special exhibition featuring the sacred relics of Arhat Sariputta and Arhat Maudgalyayana will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with the support of India’s Ministry of Culture, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), and the National Museum of New Delhi. This event is scheduled from June 1 to June 10 at the Ganden Monastery.
This initiative strengthens the deep cultural and spiritual ties between India and Mongolia. In June 2022, four sacred relics associated with Lord Buddha from Kapilavastu were transported from India to Mongolia. These relics were displayed at the Gandantegchenling Monastery for 11 days after nearly 29 years. They were showcased alongside the relic of Mahatma Buddha’s tooth.
At that time, the relics were sent with special security on an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft, accompanied by a high-level Indian delegation.
During a four-day visit to India in 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the relics of Arhat Sariputta and Arhat Maudgalyayana would also be sent to Mongolia. He described this as a step to further strengthen the centuries-old Buddhist relations between the two nations.
In a joint address on October 14, 2025, the Prime Minister emphasized that the relationship between India and Mongolia extends beyond diplomatic ties, rooted in spiritual and heartfelt connections.
He stated, “The true depth of our relationship is evident in our people-to-people ties. For centuries, both countries have been bound by the thread of Buddhism, which is why we are referred to as ‘spiritual siblings.’ I am pleased to announce that next year, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha’s two great disciples, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana, will be sent from India to Mongolia. This step will deepen the intellectual and religious ties between our nations.”
In Buddhist tradition, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana are regarded as the foremost disciples of Lord Buddha, playing a crucial role in the dissemination of Buddhist knowledge, teachings, and practices. Sariputta is particularly known for his profound wisdom and analytical understanding, while Maudgalyayana is revered for his spiritual powers and mastery in meditation.
This cultural exchange between India and Mongolia symbolizes not just a religious event but also the historical and spiritual connections that have linked the two countries through Buddhist dharma for centuries.
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