New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics associated with Bhagwan Buddha at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in Delhi on January 3, according to an official announcement made on Thursday.

The Exposition, named “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One”, will commence at 11 a.m.

This event marks the first-time gathering of the Piprahwa relics, which have been repatriated after more than a century, alongside authentic relics and archaeological artifacts from Piprahwa that are housed in the collections of the National Museum in New Delhi and the Indian Museum in Kolkata.

Unearthed in 1898, the Piprahwa relics are pivotal to the archaeological exploration of early Buddhism. They represent some of the earliest and most significant relic deposits directly linked to Bhagwan Buddha, as stated in an official document.

Archaeological findings connect the Piprahwa site to ancient Kapilavastu, which is widely recognized as the location where Bhagwan Buddha spent his formative years before renouncing worldly life.

This exposition underscores India’s profound and ongoing civilizational relationship with the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha and demonstrates the Prime Minister’s dedication to safeguarding India’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy, as noted by an official from the Prime Minister's Office.

The recent repatriation of these relics was achieved through persistent governmental efforts, institutional collaboration, and innovative public-private partnerships.

The exhibition is organized thematically, featuring a reconstructed interpretive model inspired by the Sanchi stupa, which integrates authentic relics from national collections along with the repatriated treasures.

Other thematic sections include Piprahwa Revisited, Vignettes of the Life of Buddha, Intangible in the Tangible: The Aesthetic Language of Buddhist Teachings, Expansion of Buddhist Art and Ideals Beyond Borders, and Repatriation of Cultural Artefacts: The Continuing Endeavour, as detailed in the statement.

To bolster public comprehension, the exposition is enhanced by a thorough audio-visual component, featuring immersive films, digital reconstructions, interpretive projections, and multimedia presentations. These components offer accessible insights into the life of Bhagwan Buddha, the discovery of the Piprahwa relics, their journey through different regions, and the artistic traditions associated with them.