14-Jul-2022: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah has congratulated countrymen on the inclusion of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad in the list of "World's 50 Greatest Places of 2022" by Time Magazine

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah has congratulated countrymen on the inclusion of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad in the list of  the "World's 50 Greatest Places of 2022" by Time Magazine.

In a series of tweets, Shri Amit Shah said “Matter of immense pride for every Indian, especially the people of Gujarat that India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad has now been included in the list of the "World's 50 Greatest Places of 2022" by Time Magazine. Congratulations to everyone!”.

Shri Shah said that “Since 2001, Shri Narendra Modi visionary ideas laid the foundation for creating world-class infrastructure in Gujarat. Be it the Sabarmati Riverfront or the Science city in Ahmedabad, Shri Modi has always stressed on creating Next-Gen infrastructure and making India future ready.”

2-Sep-2017: Ahmedabad gets status of India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO

The commercial capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, has been formally accorded the status of India's first World Heritage City by UNESCO. UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova handed over the certificate declaring Ahmedabad as a 'World Heritage City' to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar on Friday.

In July, the UN agency had inscribed Ahmedabad as India's first World Heritage City at a meeting held in Poland.

The other two cities are- Bhaktapur in Nepal and Galle in Sri Lanka. India is second after China in terms of number of world heritage properties in ASPAC (Asia and Pacific) region, and overall seventh in the world. India now has a total of 36 World Heritage Inscriptions — 28 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed site.

The World Heritage Cities Programme is one of six thematic programmes formally approved and monitored by the World Heritage Committee. It aims to assist States Parties in the challenges of protecting and managing their urban heritage. The programme is structured along a two-way process, with the development of a theoretical framework for urban heritage conservation, and the provision of technical assistance to States Parties for the implementation of new approaches and schemes.

27-Jun-2022: Union Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal receives the holy Kapilvastu relics of Lord Buddha brought back from Mongolia

The four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha came back to India after being displayed for 12 days at the Batsagaan Temple within the premises of Gandan Monastery, Mongolia's part of celebrations of Mongolian Buddh Purnima. Union minister Shri Arjun Meghwal received the holy relics at Ghaziabad today. The duration of display of Holy relics had to be extended by a few days on popular demand from Mongolian people.

The President of Mongolia, Speaker of Parliament of Mongolia, Mongolia’s Foreign Minister, Culture Minister, Tourism Minister, Energy Minister, more than 20 MPs, High Abbots from over 100 Monasteries from Mongolia were among the thousands who paid their respects to the revered relics during 12-day exposition at the Gandan Monastery. On the concluding day the Interior Minister of Culture of Mongolia was present for the rituals.

On day 1 (June 14) of the exposition about 18-20 thousand devotees paid their obeisance to the Holy Buddha Relics. An average of 5-6 thousand devotees visited Gandan Monastery on working days, while on closed days an average of 9-10 thousand devotees paid their respects. On the last day about 18 thousand devotees visited Gandan to pay their respects to the holy relics. On the concluding day the Interior Minister of Culture was present for the rituals.

 The Holy Buddha Relics, are known as the ‘Kapilvastu Relics’ since they are from a site in Bihar first discovered in 1898 which is believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu.

The Relics were accorded the status of a State Guest and were kept in the same climate control case as it has been kept presently at the National Museum. A special airplane C-17 Globe Master carried the holy relics back to India

In a first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Mongolia, in 2015 Shri Narendra Modi visited Gandan Monastery and also presented a Bodhi Tree Sapling to Hamba Lama. Pointing out the centuries old Buddhist ties between the two countries, Shri Narendra Modi defined India and Mongolia as Spiritual Neighbours during his address to the Mongolian Parliament.

The last time these relics were taken out of the country was in 2012 when their exposition was held in Sri Lanka and were on display at several locations across the island nation. However, later guidelines were issued and the Holy Relics were placed under the ‘AA’ category of those Antiquities and Art Treasures which should not be ordinarily taken out of the country for exhibition, considering their delicate nature.

14-Jun-2022: The four Holy Kapilvastu Relics of Lord Buddha placed with great reverence in the Battsagaan temple Assembly Hall of the Gandan Monastery ceremonially for exposition today

The four Holy Kapilvastu Relics of Lord Buddha were placed with great reverence for exposition in the Battsagaan temple Assembly Hall of the Gandan Monastery ceremonially today amid Buddhist chantings and musical performances.

On the occasion, Indian Union Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju; Zandanshatar Gombojav, Speaker of Mongolian Parliament; Nomin Chinbat, Minister of Culture Mongolia; his eminence Khamba Nomun Khan ;17 Member of Parliaments and incarnate lamas along with the delegation members from India were present at the colourful ceremony. A large number of devotees also attended the ceremony on the occasion of the Buddha day in Mongolia today.

Addressing on the occasion, Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju said that several centuries ago, the spirit of Buddhism traversed from the Himalayan mountains of India into Mongolian steppes and become our precious shared heritage. The Union Minister said that this spiritual connect continues to bind the people of our two nations. The Union Minister also remarked that the Mongolian Buddhist relics are also being displayed here in Gandan Monastery alongside Indian relics reinforcing this unique spiritual link between our two brotherly nations.

Shri Kiren Rijiju said “Let us all join in prayer that hatred and violence should find no place in our thoughts. May Peace, compassion and good sense prevail in the world, may teachings and philosophy of Buddha provide a healing touch to the sufferings of so many people across this world.”

The Union Minister further said “I am told that Mongolians were able to draw solace from the telecast of 55-episode Indian Buddha Serial that was dubbed in Mongolian language and it continues to inspire people to the path of Buddhism”.

The Union Minister also informed that India has reprinted 100 sets of 108 volume Sacred Mongolian Kanjur which will soon be distributed to monasteries and other Buddhist institutions.

Speaking on the occasion Zandanshatar Gombojav, Speaker of Mongolian Parliament thanked Indian government for allowing exposition of the holy relics for 11 days and giving the people of Mongolia the opportunity to pay their respects and seek blessings.

The Union Minister also paid a visit to the Pethub Monastery and paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Later he interacted with the 20th incarnation of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche.

13-Jun-2022: The four Holy Kapilvastu Relics of Lord Buddha reach Mongolia for an 11-day exposition today

The four Holy Kapilvastu  Relics of Lord Buddha reached Mongolia for an 11-day exposition today along with the 25-member delegation, led by Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju accompanying the sacred relics. The holy relics were received with great reverence and ceremoniously at the Ulaanbaatar International Airport by the H.E Ms. Ch Nomin, Culture Minister of Mongolia; Ms. Saranchimeg, MP/Chairperson of India Mongolia Friendship Group; Advisor to the President of Mongolia, Mr. Khamba Nomun Khan and a large number of monks among other dignitaries.

On the occasion Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju said that the historical relations between India and Mongolia will further strengthen with the coming of relics from India to Mongolia.

Union Minister also said that through the delegation India is carrying Buddha’s message of peace to the world.

Union Minister also informed that the main Buddha statue in the Gandan Monastery was gifted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015 to the people of Mongolia and it has been installed in 2018.

The Union Minister also said that people of Mongolia enjoy a strong bond  with India and look upto  India as source of wisdom. India occupies a special position in the hearts and minds of people of Mongolia, he added.

The Holy Relics were thereafter welcomed at the Gandan Monastery ceremoniously amidst prayers and  Buddhist chants. A large number of Mongolian people gathered to pay their respects to the sacred Buddha Relics. The Relics were handed over  to the Gandan Monastery in the presence of Buddhist monks from the Gandan Monastery for safe keeping ahead of its 11 exposition beginning from tomorrow.

Earlier last evening, the Holy Relics left India from Delhi with the delegation,  after customary ceremonies. These  Relics belong to 22 of the special Relics kept in National Museum of Culture Ministry.

11-Jun-2022: Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to be taken from India to Mongolia for an 11-day exposition on occasion of Mongolia’s Buddha Purnima on 14th June, 2022

In a special gesture towards people of Mongolia, four Holy Relics of Lord Buddha are being taken from India to Mongolia for an 11-day exposition as part of celebrations of Mongolian Buddha Purnima falling on 14th June, 2022. A 25-member delegation, led by Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju accompanying the sacred relics will leave for Mongolia on 12th June, 2022. The Holy Relics will be displayed at the Batsagaan Temple within the premises of Gandan Monastery. The Holy Buddha Relics, currently housed in the National Museum, are known as the ‘Kapilvastu Relics’ since they are from a site in Bihar first discovered in 1898 which is believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu.

Briefing media persons about the visit in New Delhi today, Shri Kiren Rijiju said that it is another historic milestone in India-Mongolia relations and will further boost cultural and spiritual relations between the two countries.

Recalling the visit of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to Mongolia in 2015, the Union Minister said that Shri Narendra Modi was the first-ever Prime Minister of India to visit Mongolia, and taking the relics to Mongolia is an extension of the vision of our Prime Minister to revive our relations with the countries with whom we have had cultural and spiritual ties since centuries ago.

Shri Rijiju explained that Mongolia and India look upon each other as spiritual and cultural neighbours and due to this commonality, Mongolia can also be said to be our ‘Third Neighbour’ even though we don’t enjoy any common physical boundaries.

Union Minister also said that teachings of Lord Buddha are relevant even in today’s time and will guide humanity towards greater peace, harmony and prosperity. Union Minister also said that India believes in peace and harmony and wants to spread this message throughout the world through the teachings of Lord Buddha, which is India’s cultural gift to the world. The relics are being taken for an 11-day exposition as a special gift for people of Mongolia who enjoy a very special respect in their hearts for the sacred relics, the Minister explained.

Briefing the media virtually, Union minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER, Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that Lord Buddha is revered not only in India but all over the world. Shri Narendra Modi is the first ever Prime Minister of India to visit Mongolia in 2015 and the relics will be displayed at the same Monastery which was visited by the Prime Minister, the Minister disclosed. Sh. Kishan Reddy explained that the Government is making all efforts to spread Lord Buddha’s message of peace and compassion all over the world. Accordingly, Government is working on several projects to develop Buddhist sites, locations and the Buddhist centres in India. Inauguration of Kushinagar airport recently is one such example, he said.

The Relics will be accorded the status of a State Guest and will be taken in the same climate control case as it has been kept presently at the National Museum. Indian Air force has made available a special airplane C-17 Globe Master to carry the holy relics. The relics will be received in Mongolia by the Culture Minister of Mongolia; Advisor to the President of Mongolia and a large number of monks among other dignitaries. The Lord Buddha Relics available in Mongolia would also be displayed along with the relics from India. Two Bullet Proof casings as well as two ceremonial caskets are being carried by the Indian Delegation for both the Relics.

In a first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Mongolia, in 2015 Shri Narendra Modi visited Gandan Monastery and also presented a Bodhi Tree Sapling to Hamba Lama. Pointing out the centuries old Buddhist ties between the two countries, Shri Narendra Modi defined India and Mongolia as Spiritual Neighbours during his address to the Mongolian Parliament.

India shares a long history of cultural & historical ties with Mongolia and to take this partnership forward, on the request of Mongolian Government, Union Culture Minister, Shri G. Kishan Reddy made a special exception and permitted the exposition of Holy Relics of Lord Buddha for 11 days at Batsagaan Temple inside Gandan Monastery, Mongolia.

 The last time these relics were taken out of the country was in 2012 when their exposition was held in Sri Lanka and were on display at several locations across the island nation. However, later guidelines were issued and the Holy Relics were placed under the ‘AA’ category of those Antiquities and Art Treasures which should not be ordinarily taken out of the country for exhibition, considering their delicate nature.

The 25 member delegation comprises of JS, Culture, Smt Amita Prasad Sarbhai; official media team headed by ADG, Smt Nanu Bhasin; technical experts from National Museum; representatives of IBC (International Buddhist Confederation) together with famous singer  Mohit Chauhan who is the cultural envoy of Mongolia to India.

Earlier, an advance team led by JS, Ministry of Culture, Smt Lily Pandeya comprising of Ministry of Culture Officials, curators of National Museum travelled to Mongolia on 8th June, 2022 for overseeing preparatory arrangements for receiving of the relics and for signing of an MoU between National Museum and Gandan Monastery for the exposition. 

Since the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has been supporting Mongolia in various fields and in cultural realms. India has printed 75 copies of 108 volumes of Mongolian Kanjur and handed over to Mongolian Government and various Buddhist Institutions there. The work of digitisation of the Kanjur manuscripts is also in full swing. Around 500 Mongolian monks are studying in different monasteries and institutions in India for which India has facilitated their travel and  Visas  in past few years.