Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha arrived in Russia to lead the Indian delegation tasked with bringing back the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha following their week-long exposition in Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia. The sacred relics, recognized as a National Treasure of India, were enshrined at the iconic Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, popularly known as the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, where over ninety thousand devotees paid homage.
Sinha described the exposition as a landmark event and a historic homecoming of faith for the Kalmyk people, the only Buddhist-majority population in Europe. He said the exposition served as a powerful bridge of spiritual friendship between India and Russia, reflecting the unifying power of the Buddha’s teachings and India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the sacred opportunity to lead the delegation and expressed gratitude for the chance to participate in this momentous occasion.
Upon arrival, Sinha was received by First Deputy Chairman of the Government of Kalmykia Tserenov Erdni Nikolayevich, Deputy Chairman Dzhambinov Ochir Vladimirovich, and India’s Deputy Chief of Mission Nikhilesh Giri. He offered prayers at the monastery, presented a traditional Khatak to the Holy Relics, lit a ceremonial lamp, and extended a Kashmiri shawl to Shajin Lama before receiving blessings. He also paid homage to Bakula Rinpoche, honoring the legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the revered monk and diplomat from Ladakh who played a pivotal role in reviving Buddhism in Mongolia and Russian regions such as Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva.
The exposition was organized by the BTI section of the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation, the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. The relics were brought to Kalmykia by a high-level delegation led by Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, along with senior Indian monks who conducted religious services and blessings for the local Buddhist community.
The event marked the first-ever exposition of India’s sacred relics in Kalmykia and underscored the deep civilizational ties between the two nations. As the delegation prepares to return the relics to India on October 19, the spiritual resonance of the Buddha’s teachings continues to echo across borders, reaffirming the enduring cultural and religious bonds between India and Russia.
