Shekhawat Inaugurates "Thailand-India Interwoven Legacies: Stream of Faith in Buddhism" Exhibition

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shekhawat highlighted the emotional connection and deep-rooted devotion of the Thai people towards Bhagwan Buddha and His message of peace and compassion.

Today, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the photographic exhibition "Thailand-India Interwoven Legacies: Stream of Faith in Buddhism" at the National Museum in New Delhi. The event was graced by H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Ambassador H.E. Pattarat Hongtong, and Dr. B.R. Mani, Director General of the National Museum.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shekhawat highlighted the emotional connection and deep-rooted devotion of the Thai people towards Bhagwan Buddha and His message of peace and compassion. Quoting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he emphasized that the ideals of Lord Buddha act as a spiritual bridge between India and Thailand, fostering a profound connection between the two nations.

The exhibition showcases the profound reverence of the Thai people towards the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and his chief disciples, Arahat Sariputta and Arahat Maha Mogallana. These relics, excavated from Piprahwa in Siddharth Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh, symbolize the deep-rooted cultural and traditional ties between India and Thailand. The Archaeological Survey of India unearthed two caskets containing twenty-two sacred bone relics during excavations in 1970-71. Currently, twenty bone fragments and the two caskets are displayed in the National Museum, New Delhi, while the remaining two bone fragments are on loan to the Indian Museum, Kolkata.

Earlier this year, the Holy Relics were displayed in Thailand during a 25-day exposition organized under the Ganga-Mekong Holy Relics Dhammayatra. The relics were enshrined for public veneration at several locations, including Sanam Luang Pavilion in Bangkok, Ho Kum Luang in Royal Park Rajapruek (Chiang Mai), Wat Maha Wanaram (Ubon Ratchathani), and Wat Maha That Wachiramongkol (Krabi). The exposition attracted over four million devotees from Thailand and neighboring countries, featuring elaborate processions and chanting ceremonies organized by Thai communities and the Indian diaspora.

This significant event was jointly organized by the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with active support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Thailand, the National Museum, the International Buddhist Confederation, and the Mahabodhi Society.