India-Bhutan
A divine journey: India’s sacred Buddha relics to shine in Bhutan’s Grand Peace Prayer Festival
The sacred Relics of the Lord Buddha, enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi, will travel to the Kingdom of Bhutan for a public exposition from November 8 to November 18.
The exposition is part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) in Thimphu, a major event praying for world peace and the healing of humanity and coincides with the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the fourth King of Bhutan. It is the only Vajrayana kingdom in the world.
The holy relic delegation will be led by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior Indian monks and officials.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, speaking during GPPF said that the King of Bhutan conceived the concept of the festival as an event for highlighting peace on earth. This historic visit, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), marks the second time these sacred relics have been to Bhutan.
The first was in 2011 on the celebration of the wedding of the King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
A Confluence of Faith and Culture
The relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the Kuenrey Hall of Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu, a palace that houses the Bhutanese government and serves as a central hub for the nation's monastic community.
He thanked the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing the sacred relics to be brought to Thimphu, underscoring the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
Ambassador attended the inauguration of the Global Peace Prayer in Thimphu today. We look forward to the Global Peace Prayer Festival over the next two weeks. We pray that the message of peace, compassion and harmony from the festival permeates the world. @MEAIndia… pic.twitter.com/TXDcGjo5s5
— India in Bhutan (@Indiainbhutan) November 4, 2025
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