UP Dy CM Maurya leads delegation of monks to transport Buddha relics to Russia’s Kalmykia for exposition
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
In the early hours of Saturday, a historic journey began when Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya led a group of 11 senior monks from India to Russia. They carried precious relics of Gautama Buddha to the Kalmykia Republic, where an exposition will run from October 11 to 18 in Elista, the region’s capital.
A Spiritual Voyage
Before leaving Delhi’s Palam Airport, Deputy CM Maurya knelt in prayer at the relics and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity. The monks, joined by National Museum Director‑General Gurmeet Singh Chawla, also offered prayers before boarding the officials’ flight.
The delegation includes monks from both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. Abhijit Halder, Director‑General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), said the trip would deepen India‑Russia ties, especially since Buddhism has long been popular in Kalmykia. He added that the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, would accompany the group.
Exhibition Highlights
The relics will be housed in Elista’s main Buddhist monastery, the Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, known as the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Ministry of Culture, together with the IBC, the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, is organizing the show.
Visitors can expect:
- Teachings by the 43rd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche and other monks.
- A display of the Holy Kanjur, a set of 108 Mongolian Buddhist texts.
- A unique stamp exhibition featuring about 90 countries, curated by Vinod Kumar of Dharwad.
- Panels tracing the journey of Buddha relics from ancient Kapilavastu to modern times.
- An art showcase with treasures from the National Museum of India and the National Mission for Manuscripts.
An upcoming Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Spiritual Administration of Buddhism and the IBC may follow the event.
Kalmykia: A Buddhist Heartbeat in Russia
Kalmykia sits in southwestern Russia, bordering the Caspian Sea. Its people are the only ethnic group in Europe that traditionally practices Mahayana Buddhism. The region hosted the 3rd International Buddhist Forum in September 2025. The Kalmyk community once traced its roots to Mongol nomads, and their culture reflects this heritage.
From India to the World
The same set of relics has visited Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam over recent years. In 2022, relics from Piprahwa went to Mongolia; in 2024, relics from Sanchi traveled to Thailand; and in early 2025, pieces from Sarnath visited Vietnam. Now, the travel continues to Kalmykia, with the holy relics stored in the National Museum in New Delhi for veneration.
With friendly prayers, a bright itinerary, and a deep sense of heritage, the Indian delegation is set to share Buddha’s legacy with the people of Kalmykia and beyond.
Source: aninews
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