J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Escorts Lord Buddha's Sacred Relics from Russia to India: Strengthening Cultural Bonds

Manoj Sinha arrived in Russia on Friday to retrieve Lord Buddha's Holy Relics and return them to India.

Elista:

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that the exposition of Lord Buddha's Holy Relics in Kalmykia will enhance people-to-people connections between India and Russia.

After paying homage to the relics at the Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, commonly known as the "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha," he emphasized that this exhibition represents a historic homecoming of faith for the Kalmyk people, Europe's only Buddhist nation, according to an official Ministry of Culture release.

This event serves as a significant spiritual bridge between India and Russia, highlighting India's commitment to cultural diplomacy and the universal appeal of Buddha's teachings.

The Lieutenant Governor presented a "Khatak" to the Holy Relics and lit a ceremonial lamp in the temple. He also offered prayers before Bakula Rinpoche, presenting another "Khatak" and gifting a traditional Kashmiri shawl to Shajin Lama, receiving blessings in return.

Sinha arrived in Russia on Friday specifically to accompany the Holy Relics back to India following their exposition in Elista, the capital of Kalmykia Republic. Leading the Indian delegation, he was welcomed 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. The delegation will transport the Holy Relics back to India on October 19th, 2025.

Earlier that day, Sinha announced his journey to Kalmykia on social media platform X, stating he would lead the delegation responsible for returning Lord Buddha's holy relics. The LG's office posted: "Leaving for Kalmykia, Russia, where I will lead the delegation to bring back holy relics of Lord Buddha after a week-long exposition. I sincerely thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this sacred opportunity. 'Om Mamo Buddhaya'. In a powerful display of spiritual devotion and shared cultural heritage, the exposition of Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India has drawn an unprecedented response in the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia. As of today, over Ninety Thousand devotees have paid their reverent homage to the relics, enshrined at the iconic Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, popularly known as the "Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha."

These sacred relics, designated as a National Treasure of India, were transported to Elista by a high-level delegation led by Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, accompanied by senior Indian monks. The delegation is conducting special religious ceremonies and blessings for Kalmykia's predominantly Buddhist population, the only European region where Buddhism is the main religion.

This unprecedented exposition in the Russian Republic demonstrates the profound civilizational connections between India and Russia. It honors the legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the revered Buddhist monk and diplomat from Ladakh who played a crucial role in reviving Buddhism in Mongolia and rekindling interest in Buddha Dharma across Russian regions including Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva.

The event has been jointly organized by the BTI section of India's Ministry of Culture, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The exposition will remain in Elista until October 18, 2025.