Buddha Purnima marked at National Museum with veneration of Kapilavastu relics
On Buddha Purnima, 12 May 2025, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kiren Rijiju led floral offerings at the National Museum, New Delhi, where the Kapilavastu relics excavated from Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, are enshrined.
Summary
Buddha Purnima (Vesak or Buddha Jayanti) was observed on 12 May 2025 at the National Museum, New Delhi, with the veneration of the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha. Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju led the floral offerings; Rijiju conveyed the Prime Minister's greetings to the global Buddhist community. Central to the day were the Kapilavastu Relics, excavated from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh and enshrined in the museum's Buddha Gallery. Shekhawat focused on a stele showing the eight great miracles (ashtamahapratiharya). The Ministry of Culture noted that the full moon of Vaishakha fell on 12 May in 2025.
Key facts
- Date
- 12 May 2025 (Buddha Purnima / Vesak)
- Venue
- National Museum, New Delhi
- Relics
- Kapilavastu Relics, excavated from Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh
- Led by
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Kiren Rijiju
- Eight great miracles
- Ashtamahapratiharya
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Kapilavastu Relics, central to the Buddha Purnima celebrations at the National Museum on 12 May 2025, were excavated from:
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Correct answer: B — Piprahwa
The Kapilavastu Relics enshrined in the National Museum's Buddha Gallery were excavated from Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.
Consider the following statements: 1. In 2025, the full moon of Vaishakha (Buddha Purnima) fell on 12 May. 2. Exhibitions shown by the Ministry of Culture and IBC had earlier been part of the UN Vesak Day 2025 celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Culture release (PIB 2128689).
In Buddhist art, the term for the 'eight great miracles' from the Buddha's life, highlighted at the National Museum on Buddha Purnima 2025, is:
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Correct answer: A — Ashtamahapratiharya
The eight great miracles are called ashtamahapratiharya. Panchatathagata refers to the five Transcendental Buddhas.