PM Modi inaugurates 'The Light & the Lotus' exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics
On 3 January 2026 at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One', the first exposition in over a century to bring together the Piprahwa relics of the Buddha, including those repatriated in July 2025.
Summary
On 3 January 2026 at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, 'The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One', organised by the Ministry of Culture. The exposition unites relics from the 1898 excavation by William Claxton Peppé at the stupa site identified with Kapilavastu, finds from the 1972–75 excavations, treasures held by the National Museum and the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and the Peppé family collection, which was repatriated in July 2025 after the government halted its auction abroad. More than 80 objects from the 6th century BCE to the present are on show, centred on the stone coffer in which the relics were found; Modi thanked the Godrej Group for its cooperation and noted that Pali, the language of the Buddha's teachings, has been given classical language status.
Key facts
- Inaugurated
- 3 January 2026, Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi, by PM Modi
- Title
- The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One
- Organiser
- Ministry of Culture
- Discovery
- 1898, William Claxton Peppé, stupa site identified with Kapilavastu
- Repatriation
- Peppé family collection returned July 2025 after auction halted; Godrej Group cooperated
- Display
- 80+ objects, 6th century BCE to present; original stone coffer
- Lenders
- National Museum, New Delhi; Indian Museum, Kolkata
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The Grand International Exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics, inaugurated by PM Modi on 3 January 2026, was held at which venue?
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Correct answer: A — Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi
PIB (PMO and Ministry of Culture): the exposition was inaugurated at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, New Delhi.
The Piprahwa relics of the Buddha were first unearthed in 1898 by whom, at a stupa site identified with ancient Kapilavastu?
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Correct answer: C — William Claxton Peppé
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the Piprahwa relics were unearthed in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé at the stupa site identified with Kapilavastu.
What is the title of the Piprahwa relics exposition inaugurated in New Delhi in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the exposition is titled 'The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One'.
Consider the following statements about the Piprahwa relics exposition of January 2026: 1. It includes the Peppé family collection repatriated to India in July 2025 after its auction abroad was halted. 2. It includes relics preserved at the Indian Museum, Kolkata. 3. It was organised by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ministry of External Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the exposition brings together the Peppé collection repatriated in July 2025 and treasures from the Indian Museum, Kolkata. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture, so statement 3 is wrong.