J&K Lieutenant Governor Returns with Lord Buddha's Holy Relics After Historic Exposition in Russia

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has returned to India with the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha following their week-long exposition in Kalmykia, Russia.

Upon his return, Sinha emphasized that the exposition of Lord Buddha's Holy Relics in Kalmykia would strengthen the already robust ties between India and Russia.

"We have brought back the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha from Kalmykia. The India-Russia friendship has been exceptional for decades and will be celebrating its 80th anniversary soon. The initiative taken by the Indian government and Ministry of Culture during Russian President Putin's visit will prove to be a milestone. This cultural exchange will further strengthen our bilateral relations in business, trade, and defense sectors," Sinha stated.

The Lieutenant Governor's office shared on social media that the holy relics have returned home after their exhibition in Russia, highlighting that the exposition underscored India's commitment to fostering mutual understanding, building trust and cooperation, and creating lasting connections through shared spiritual experiences.

During his visit to Russia, Sinha was welcomed by the 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 sacred relics, officially recognized as a National Treasure of India, were initially transported to Elista, the capital city of Kalmykia, by a high-level delegation led by Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, accompanied by senior Indian monks. The delegation conducted special religious services and blessings for the predominantly Buddhist population of Kalmykia, which is notably the only region in Europe where Buddhism is the predominant religion.

This historic exposition, the first of its kind in the Russian Republic, stands as a testament to the profound civilizational connections between India and Russia. It also revives the enduring legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist monk and diplomat from Ladakh, who played a crucial role in reviving Buddhism in Mongolia and reigniting interest in Buddha Dharma across Russian regions including Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva.

The cultural event was organized through a collaborative effort by the BTI section of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The exposition was held in Elista until October 18, 2025.