Ulaanbaatar, June 8 A high-level Indian delegation led by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena arrived in Mongolia on Monday to bring back the sacred relics of Lord Buddha’s two chief disciples, Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana, following a successful 10-day public exposition that attracted thousands of Buddhist devotees. The relics were displayed at the historic Gandantegchenling Monastery in Mongolia’s capital, reinforcing the centuries-old spiritual and cultural ties between India and Mongolia.
- Indian delegation led by Vinai Saxena arrives in Mongolia
- Sacred relics of Buddha’s chief disciples returning to India
- 10-day exposition held at Gandantegchenling Monastery
- Thousands of devotees paid homage during the exhibition
- Event strengthens India-Mongolia Buddhist ties
- Ladakh and Arkhangai Province expanding cooperation under 2025 MoU
India’s special delegation landed in Ulaanbaatar aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft to oversee the ceremonial return of the revered relics. The delegation was welcomed by senior Mongolian officials, Indian Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve, and monks from the Gandantegchenling Monastery.
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The sacred relics had been transported from India for a special 10-day exposition organized at the request of Mongolia’s leading Buddhist institutions. Throughout the exhibition, devotees lined up from early morning to offer prayers and seek blessings from the relics, which are among the most revered treasures in the Buddhist world.
Earlier, the relics had arrived in Mongolia under state-level protocol and security arrangements accompanied by a distinguished delegation led by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. The delegation included senior government officials and respected Buddhist monks from India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking during the visit, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya emphasized that the relics symbolize more than historical artifacts. He stated that their journey from India to Mongolia carried a timeless message of peace, compassion, enlightenment, and spiritual unity, reflecting the teachings of Lord Buddha and his closest disciples.
The exposition was supported by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the National Museum of India, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, and the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka. Their combined efforts ensured the successful organization of one of the most significant Buddhist events held in Mongolia in recent years.
The event also highlighted growing cooperation between Ladakh and Mongolia’s Arkhangai Province, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2025 covering cultural exchanges, tourism, education, trade, agriculture, animal husbandry, astrophysics, and sports.
This is not the first major Buddhist exchange between the two countries. In 2022, sacred Kapilavastu Relics of Lord Buddha were brought from India to Mongolia for an 11-day exposition, marking their first visit to the country in nearly three decades.
The successful conclusion of the relic exposition once again demonstrates the enduring spiritual bond between India and Mongolia and underscores India’s role as the birthplace and guardian of the Buddhist heritage revered across Asia.
The return of the sacred relics of Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana marks the successful completion of another landmark cultural and spiritual exchange between India and Mongolia. Beyond religious significance, the event has strengthened diplomatic relations, promoted Buddhist heritage, and reaffirmed the deep-rooted historical connections shared by the two nations.
FAQ Section
Q1. Why were the relics taken to Mongolia ?
The relics were taken to Mongolia for a 10-day public exposition, allowing devotees to pay homage and celebrate the shared Buddhist heritage between India and Mongolia.
Q2. Who led the Indian delegation ?
The delegation was led by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena.
Q3. Which relics were displayed in Mongolia ?
The relics belonged to Arahant Sariputra and Arahant Maudgalyayana, the two chief disciples of Lord Buddha.
Q4. Where was the exposition held ?
The exposition was held at Gandantegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Q5. What is the significance of the event ?
The event strengthened cultural, diplomatic, and spiritual ties between India and Mongolia while promoting Buddhist heritage.
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