Overview

• The sacred Buddha relics, enshrined in Sarnath, were ceremonially placed at New Delhi’s National Museum before departing for Vietnam on May 1 via an Indian Air Force flight.
• This marks the first time India is sending these relics to Vietnam, underscoring shared Buddhist heritage and strengthening bilateral ties.
• The 20-day exhibition will begin in Ho Chi Minh City on May 2 and continue across Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ha Nam, with millions of devotees expected to pay homage.
• The event, co-organized by India’s Ministry of Culture, the International Buddhist Confederation, and the Vietnamese government, also features a digital restoration of Ajanta Cave murals.
• The relics, discovered in the early 20th century and preserved by the Mahabodhi Society, symbolize India’s role as the birthplace of Buddhism and its message of peace and harmony.