Buddha Relics of Disciples Arrive in Mongolia on Special Indian Air Force Flight

May 30, 2026

Ulaanbaatar: Underscoring shared Buddhist heritage, the holy relics of the chief disciples of the Buddha — Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Mahamoggallana  arrived in the Mongolian capital on Saturday afternoon for a 10-day public exposition at the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery on the occasion of Mongolian Buddha Purnima.

The Indian Air Force IL-76 (Gajraj) became a symbol of cultural diplomacy and India’s enduring civilisational outreach, airlifting the sacred relics of Lord Buddha from Delhi to Mongolia on 30 May 26.

Revered across the Buddhist world as symbols of wisdom, compassion and… pic.twitter.com/nMksVLS9Wy

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 30, 2026

Relics Flown in by Special IAF Aircraft with High-Level Delegation

The relics, which enjoy the status of the Head of State in terms of protocol and security, arrived in Ulaanbaatar by a special Indian Air Force (IAF) flight from New Delhi, accompanied by a high level delegation led by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. The nearly 45-member delegation also includes senior officers and reputed monks from India and Sri Lanka. According to the Indian Embassy in Mongolia, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is also actively involved in the organisation of the important exposition.

Joint Effort by India and Sri Lanka Strengthens Buddhist Linkages

Together, the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, National Museum of India under the Ministry of Culture in association with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, brought the holy relics to Mongolia at the request of the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery.

“India and Mongolia are strategic partners and spiritual siblings with deep civilization linkages due to Buddhism. In this context, the exposition is a good opportunity for the followers of Buddhism in Mongolia to pay their tributes to the relics of Lord Buddha’s two chief disciples,” the Indian Embassy in Ulaanbaatar mentioned.

10-Day Exposition to Strengthen Spiritual and Cultural Ties

The exposition, which begins on May 31 – the Mongolian Buddha Purnima – and continues till June 10, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the State Visit of Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to India in October 2025.

On the sidelines, the National Museum of India and IBC will also organise a special exhibition on Buddhism. Officials said the event is expected to draw devotees from across Mongolia.

IAF Calls Mission a Symbol of Cultural Diplomacy

“The Indian Air Force IL-76 (Gajraj) became a symbol of cultural diplomacy and India’s enduring civilisational outreach, airlifting the sacred relics of Lord Buddha from Delhi to Mongolia,” the IAF said on X.

It added that the mission carried not just relics but also faith, heritage and friendship, strengthening centuries-old spiritual ties between the two nations.