Sun Oct 19 01:23:07 UTC 2025: Summary:
Sacred relics of Lord Buddha, originally from the National Museum in New Delhi, were exhibited in Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia. The exposition, which drew over 90,000 devotees, aimed to strengthen ties between India and Russia. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha led an Indian delegation to accompany the relics back to India on October 19th, 2025. The event, organised by the Indian Ministry of Culture, International Buddhist Confederation, and other institutions, highlighted the historical connections between India and Russia and the enduring legacy of Buddhism in the region.
News Article:
Buddha Relics Draw 90,000 in Russia, Strengthening India-Russia Ties
New Delhi, October 19, 2025: A remarkable exposition of sacred relics of Lord Buddha in Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia, has drawn over 90,000 devotees, underscoring the deep spiritual and cultural connections between India and Russia. The relics, originally housed at the National Museum in New Delhi, were transported to Russia on October 11th via a special Indian Air Force aircraft.
The relics were enshrined at the Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, also known as the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, a significant Tibetan Buddhist centre in the heart of the Kalmyk steppe.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led an Indian delegation to Elista to accompany the relics back to India today. During his visit, Mr. Sinha emphasized the exposition’s role in solidifying people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The event, organized by the BTI section of the Indian Ministry of Culture, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), is being hailed as a resounding success. The exposition, initially delayed due to logistical challenges, represents the first event of its kind in the Russian Republic and a testament to the enduring legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, who helped revive Buddhism in Mongolia and reignite interest in the religion in Russian regions.
“This historic exposition revives the enduring legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the revered Buddhist monk and diplomat from Ladakh,” a Ministry of Culture statement said, further underscoring the enduring importance of this exchange.
The relics, considered a national treasure of India, were accompanied to Elista by a high-level delegation, including Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The delegation also conducted special religious services for the predominantly Buddhist population of Kalmykia, the only region in Europe where Buddhism is the predominant religion. The exposition concludes today with the return of the relics to India, leaving a lasting impact on Indo-Russian relations and the spiritual landscape of Kalmykia.
First Piper 