Sacred Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha Arrive at Thubchog Gatsel Ling (TGL) Monastery, Bomdila, on 8th November
PIB National (English) · Published 9 November 2026 · Last updated
Ministry of Culture is conducting a multi-city public darshan of Shakyamuni Buddha's relics in Arunachal Pradesh from 8 to 20 November 2026, culminating in Namsai.
Key points
- The Sacred Relics of Shakyamuni Buddha arrived at Thubchog Gatsel Ling (TGL) Monastery in Bomdila on 8 November 2026 for public darshan.
- The exposition is organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Museum New Delhi, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
- Public darshan at Bomdila is scheduled from 8 to 13 November 2026, with devotees from Bomdila and neighboring constituencies visiting between 9 and 13 November.
- Approximately 4,000 devotees visited the monastery on the first day (8 November), including monks, dignitaries, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
- 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.
- At the Army Helipad, Rupa, the relics were received by Shri Pasang Dorjee Sona, Minister for Education and Tourism, who presented a Guard of Honour.
- Two special exhibitions showcasing Buddhist heritage were inaugurated by the Chief Guest in the presence of Padma Shri the 12th Guru Trulku Rinpoche.
- The Bomdila event follows the conclusion of a seven-day exposition at Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery) on 7 November 2026.
- Following Bomdila, the relics will proceed to the Golden Pagoda, Namsai for public darshan from 14 to 20 November 2026.
- The relics are scheduled to return to the National Museum, New Delhi on 21 November 2026, concluding the tour.
Background
- The current event is part of a sequential public exposition tour across Arunachal Pradesh, beginning with Tawang and moving to Bomdila and Namsai.
- The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), based in New Delhi, is a key institutional partner responsible for the spiritual and logistical coordination of the relic tour.
- The National Museum, New Delhi serves as the custodial body for the Sacred Relics, which are stored there when not on public exhibition.
- The tour highlights the deep spiritual reverence associated with the relics, evidenced by the participation of thousands of visitors from all blocks of Tawang in the previous phase.
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Original report: PIB National (English)