Union Culture Minister Inaugurates Photographic Exhibition on ‘Thailand-India Interwoven Legacies: Stream of Faith in Buddhism

• The photographic exhibition "Thailand-India Interwoven Legacies: Stream of Faith in Buddhism" was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, at the National Museum in New Delhi.

Highlights:

• The photographic display at the National Museum captures the emotional outpour and the deep-rooted devotion and reverence of the Thai people towards Bhagwan Buddha and His message of peace and compassion.
• The ideals of Lord Buddha serve as a spiritual bridge between India and Thailand, fostering a deep-rooted connection.
• The exhibition aims to showcase the profound reception and reverence of the people of Thailand towards the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and his chief disciples, Arahat Sariputta and Arahat Maha Mogallana.
• These relics, excavated from Piprahwa, Siddharth Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh, are a focal point of the exhibition, symbolizing the deep-rooted cultural and traditional ties between India and Thailand.
• The excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1970 – 71, at Piprahwa brought to light two caskets, containing a total of twenty-two sacred bone relics.
• The Holy Relics were displayed in Thailand in a 25-day long momentous exposition.
• The Exposition was organized under the auspices of Ganga-Mekong Holy Relics Dhammayatra.
• More than four million devotees from different parts of Thailand and its neighboring countries paid tributes to the Holy Relics.
• This Exposition was jointly organized by the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India with active support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Thailand, the National Museum, the International Buddhist Confederation, and the Mahabodhi Society.

Prelims Takeaway

• MAP BASED QUESTION