Ancient Buddhist artefacts from Sanchi shrine leave for spiritual exhibition in Ulaanbaatar

The sacred bone caskets containing the remains of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana—two of Lord Buddha's principal disciples—left the world-renowned Buddhist shrine at Sanchi on Tuesday morning in an elaborate ceremonial dispatch. This marks only the second international tour of these precious artefacts, which were previously sent to Thailand two years ago for public veneration.

The reliquaries began their journey under heavy armed security, transported by road from the Chaitya Temple at Sanchi to Bhopal Airport, from where they were flown to Delhi aboard a special charter. The sacred caskets will be housed at the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, where they are expected to attract thousands of devotees during their 10-day stay.

Morning Rituals and Sacred Ceremony

The 13-member delegation witnessed the removal of the bone caskets from the sanctum sanctorum of the Chaitya Temple at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Buddhist monks performed elaborate chanting rituals for approximately ninety minutes, invoking blessings for the relics' safe passage abroad. At 9 a.m., armed security forces rendered a formal Guard of Honour before the caskets were sealed into specially designed bulletproof and shock-proof containers—a ceremonial procedure that reflects the exceptionally high status accorded to these artefacts.

Raisendistrict administrator Manish Sharma explained that a specialised team from the central government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted physical verification and scientific examination of the caskets at Sanchi. The entire process was videographed, and detailed documentation was prepared. "These reliquaries are treated with the same protocol as visiting heads of state," Sharma noted.

Sovereign Guarantee and Multi-Layered Security

Throughout their journey, the sacred remains remain encased in smart climate-controlled containers and surrounded by 24-hour armed security. A formal 'Sovereign Guarantee'—a strict bilateral legal agreement between India and Mongolia—governs the protection and return of the artefacts. The travel route remains completely confidential, with advance security vehicles and personnel accompanying the caskets.

The ASI team has also prepared a detailed digital log, conducting scientific analysis down to the microgram level. This meticulous documentation ensures complete accountability and authenticity verification at every stage of transport.

Destination and Spiritual Significance

The relics are destined for the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's most prominent and historically significant Buddhist centre. Built in the Tibetan style in 1809, the monastery houses a 26-metre gold-plated statue of Avalokiteshvara and is home to over 100 resident monks. The caskets will remain on public display for approximately 10 days before being returned to Delhi on June 10. They will be ceremoniously reinstalled at Sanchi on June 11.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

During the morning ceremony at Sanchi, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel emphasised that this exchange represents a significant diplomatic initiative undertaken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure. "These sacred relics were previously scattered abroad. We have brought them back to India with honour, and now we are sharing this invaluable heritage with devotee nations across the world," Patel said.

Venerable Wangyal Uptisal Nayak Thero, president of the Mahabodhi Society, Sri Lanka, noted that the relics' journey to Mongolia will strengthen spiritual and cultural bonds between the two nations. He added that such exhibitions are likely to boost foreign tourism to Sanchi, one of India's most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Officials Present

The ceremonial dispatch was attended by Minister Patel and Venerable Thero, along with Raisentrict Collector Arun Kumar Vishwakarma, SP Ashutosh Gupta, and Yash Saxena, director of the Union Government's Culture Ministry, among other senior administrative officials.

The relics' safe return on June 11 is expected to draw considerable media and public attention, reinforcing India's role as custodian of Buddhist heritage and strengthening cultural diplomacy in Asia.