Delhi: October 18:
The exposition of Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India has received an exceptional response in the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia. To date, more than fifty thousand devotees have visited the relics at Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery, also known as the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Recognized as a National Treasure of India, the sacred relics were brought to Elista by a delegation led by Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, along with senior Indian monks. The delegation is conducting religious services and blessings for Kalmykia’s predominantly Buddhist population, the only such region in Europe.
Since the exposition began on October 11, there has been strong public interest. Today, a queue of devotees nearly one kilometer long formed outside the monastery, reflecting the event’s significance. The Golden Abode, a major Tibetan Buddhist center opened in 1996 on the Kalmyk steppe, has seen a steady flow of pilgrims throughout the day.
This historic exposition, the first of its kind in the Russian Republic, highlights the strong cultural ties between India and Russia. It also honors the legacy of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the Ladakhi monk and diplomat who helped revive Buddhism in Mongolia and renewed interest in the Buddha Dharma in regions such as Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva
.
The event has been organised by the BTI section of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The exposition will continue in the capital city of Elista until October 18, 2025.
India’s role in hosting these sacred relics symbolizes the shared Buddhist heritage and lasting spiritual connection between India and Russia.
