Elista (Kalmykia)/New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha arrived in Russia on Friday to bring back the sacred relics of Lord Buddha from the Republic of Kalmykia. The week-long historic exhibition has drawn over 90,000 devotees who paid their respects to these revered artifacts.
Speaking after offering prayers at the Geden Shedup Choikorling Monastery, where the relics are housed under the name “Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha,” Lt Governor Sinha described the exhibition as a powerful bridge of spiritual friendship between India and Russia. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing this historic opportunity.
Kalmykia, Europe’s only Buddhist-majority region, witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of devotion as the sacred relics, considered India’s national heritage, were displayed for the first time in the Russian republic. The exhibition revives the enduring legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist monk and diplomat from Ladakh who played a pivotal role in revitalizing Buddhism in Mongolia and Russian regions including Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva.
The relics were brought to Elista by a high-level Indian delegation led by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, accompanied by senior Indian monks. The delegation was received by Tserenov Erdni Nikolayevich, First Deputy Chairman of the Kalmykia government, and Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chief of India’s Mission.
During his visit, Lt Governor Sinha offered “khatak” (ceremonial scarf) to the sacred relics, lit a lamp at the temple, and prayed before Bakula Rinpoche. He also presented a Kashmiri shawl to Shajjin Lama and received blessings.
The exhibition has been organized by the Buddhist/Tibetan Culture (BTI) Section of India’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), National Museum, and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The sacred relics will remain on display at the capital Elista until October 18, 2025.
The Indian delegation will return to India on October 19, 2025, with the sacred relics. This historic cultural exchange demonstrates the deep-rooted spiritual and civilizational ties between India and Russia, showcasing Buddhism’s unifying power across continents.
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