The arrival of the revered Piprahwa relics has drawn extraordinary crowds to Tashichhodzong, where the sacred remains are being publicly displayed for veneration. The relics reached Bhutan last week, and since the conclusion of the Kalachakra empowerment yesterday, the flow of devotees has surged dramatically.
Housed in the Grand Kuenray, the relics have attracted Bhutanese from every corner of the country, many of whom see this as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual blessing. The relics were excavated from Piprahwa, identified by archaeologists as ancient Kapilavastu, the birthplace and childhood home of Prince Siddhartha before he attained enlightenment.
For many, the opportunity to receive blessings without travelling abroad has been profoundly meaningful.
“We are fortunate,” said Hochum from Punakha. “At our age it would be difficult to journey to India. To stand before the relics here in our own country is a blessing beyond words.”
Others echoed similar gratitude, noting the high costs and logistical challenges of undertaking such a pilgrimage.
“To visit these relics in India would cost tens of thousands of ngultrum,” said Kaka from Haa. “We are deeply thankful to His Majesty The King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and His Holiness the Je Khenpo for making this extraordinary gathering of spiritual teachers and sacred objects possible.”
Many devotees first learned of the display while attending the three-day Kalachakra initiation at Changlimithang. “I rushed here as soon as I heard,” said Sangay Dolma from Zhemgang. “We are truly grateful to His Majesty for bringing this blessing to the Bhutanese people.”
According to Rinzin Namgyel, Chief Chemist of the Antiquities Division under the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, attendance has risen sharply each day. “As the first day coincided with the Kalachakra empowerment, only about 5,000 people came,” he explained. “The numbers rose to more than 12,000 on the second day and over 17,000 yesterday.”
The relics will remain on public display until Monday, offering one final opportunity for devotees and visitors to pay their respects.
Meanwhile, at Tendrelthang, a special Tshechu performance is underway as part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival, arranged specifically for the international audience attending the historic event.
As thousands continue to gather in prayer and devotion, the presence of the Piprahwa relics has added profound spiritual significance to Bhutan’s ongoing religious celebrations—strengthening not only collective faith but also the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between Bhutan and India.
