National Museum, New Delhi

At the National Museum, one of the most haunting objects from the ancient past comes from Rakhigarhi, among the oldest sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, part of its many phases from the pre-Harappan period to the mature Harappan age. Excavations at the site uncovered a cemetery from the mature Harappan period, where several graves were found containing pottery, ornaments, food remains, and burial offerings placed alongside the skeletons. One of the most striking discoveries was the skeleton of a woman buried with bangles still adorning her arms, accompanied by a range of objects placed carefully beside her. In the absence of a deciphered Harappan script, burials like these become some of our most intimate windows into the minds of the Harappans. The inclusion of objects, ornaments, and offerings may point toward beliefs surrounding the afterlife, perhaps items meant for oneself or family members who were now part of the otherworld, or offerings intended for deities of the netherworld. Similar practices can be seen in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian funerary traditions. Thousands of years later, these graves still allow us a rare glimpse into how the Harappans may have imagined afterlife.

First Image: Vairochana Buddha 6th-7th centuries CE Balawaste Ht. 76.2, Wd. 57.2 m Wall Painting A wall painting fragment of Vairochana as the Cosmic Buddha from Balawaste, in his vishvarupa or all-encompassing form seated in meditation or dhyanasna. Second Image: Goddess Hariti with her children 4th-6th centuries CE Farhad-beg-Yailaki Ht. 60.9, Wd. 60.9 cm Wall Painting The mural fragment represents a cross-legged Hariti with five children. A child devouring ogress, Hariti, is transformed by the Buddha as a mother-goddess. Third, fourth and fifth Image: Akshobhya Tibet, Early 20th Century Colourful threads on Cloth L. 121.9, W.73.6 cm Akshobhya resides in the east and is one of the Five Tathagatas who represent the five stages of Enlightenment. Akshobhya means unshakeable resolve to achieve Enlightenment. All the images are photographed at National Museum New Delhi @nmnewdelhi #buddha #murals #art #textile #buddhistart

This International Museum Day, step into a world of stories, art, history, and creativity at the National Museum! Get ready for exciting walkthroughs and fun creative sessions that promise a day full of discovery and inspiration. Bring your curiosity and join the celebration by registering for the walk now! Education Department: 011-23019273 (Ext. 327) [email protected] @ministryofculturegoi @itihasology @erichopra @jaya_basera Hurry, limited seats available! #NMEducation #imd2026

With reverence and due protocol, the Holy Relics of Tathagata returned to the National Museum on completion of a fourteen day exposition to Leh and Zanskar, #Ladakh - 01 to 14 May 2026 #Buddha #buddhism #fyp #fyppage

On the closing day of the Sacred Exposition, dedication prayers were solemnly offered before the Sacred Holy Relics of the Tathagata by Ven. Geshe Damdul La and the young members of Flowering Dharma at Dharma Centre today. With pure intentions, prayers were dedicated for oneself and all sentient beings, aspiring for swift liberation and the attainment of the highest state of happiness, Buddhahood.

We are inviting passionate Resource Persons to join us in creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences for children aged 5 to 17 years. If you love working with young minds and can facilitate fun, interactive sessions, we would love to hear from you! Please Connect with our Education Department to collaborate with us this summer. @ministryofculturegoi #PlayTimeAtNM #SummerProgramme #nmlearning

In a historic first, the Ministry of Culture is showcasing the #PiprahwaRelics repatriated to India after 127 years at a unique exhibition in Delhi, titled 'The Light And The Lotus: Relics Of The Awakened One'. Visit to witness over 2500 years of India's spiritual and civilisational history. ENTRY IS FREE FOR ALL! 📍Raipithora Cultural Centre, Lado Sarai, Delhi 🕘Daily 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (Closed on Mondays) #LightAndTheLotus #BuddhaRelics #MusuemMusings #CultureUnitesAll

An evening of wisdom, reflection and harmony at CIBS Leh as Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul’s inspiring talk on “Modern Science and Buddhist Philosophy” concluded with an overwhelming audience. The soulful performance by Flowering Dharma on the timeless message of Tathagata Buddha “Buddh ka ye hi kehna” —added a beautiful spiritual essence to the gathering

In a significant milestone in the recovery of India’s stolen and smuggled cultural heritage, 13 repatriated antiquities, recently were handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and have been showcased at the National Museum today. These included two artefacts that were returned by the United States and 11 other antiquities repatriated from Australia. Highlighting the scale of the recovery efforts, Hon’ble Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that since 2014, India has successfully retrieved 668 antiquities from various countries, while the repatriation process for another 657 artefacts is currently underway. Describing the present period as a “golden era” for the return of India’s lost heritage, Shri Shekhawat said the government continues to intensify efforts to trace and recover antiquities smuggled out of the country, particularly after 1970. He added that every recovered artefact symbolises not only the return of an object of historical and artistic value, but also the restoration of India’s cultural identity and civilisational memory. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheads the nationwide mission to bring back India’s lost cultural artefacts and reconnect the nation with its ancient heritage. Also present at the occasion were Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Shri Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director-General, ASI.

Celebrating a significant milestone for India🇮🇳! Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur ), Hon'ble Minister for Culture and Tourism, chaired a press conference today at the National Museum in Delhi regarding the historic return of three stolen antiquities from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in the USA. The bronze artefacts include a Chola-period Shiva Nataraja from around 990 CE, a 12th-century Somaskanda, and a 16th-century figure of the saint Sundarar with Paravai from the Vijayanagara period. These items were reportedly taken from a temple in Tamil Nadu in the early 1950s. The repatriation of these artefacts is part of a broader initiative by the Government of India, under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi , aimed at restoring & preserving our stolen cultural heritage. This effort highlights India’s commitment to strengthening ethical practices in museums. Accompanying Shri Shekhawat at the press interaction were Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Gurmeet Chawla, Director General, National Museum, and Shri Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with other dignitaries & members of the press #CultureUnitesAll

Itihasology’s Night at the Museum: Chapter 2 at @nmnewdelhi . Waiting list registration in @itihasology ’s bio! Itihāsology’s Eric Chopra returns with the unmissable Night at the Museum: Chapter 2. This takes you on a gripping tour through the multifaceted worlds of Indian history. Travel across the cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation, through the eras of the Guptas and the Mauryas, into the artistic brilliance of Gandhara and Amaravati, before concluding amidst a spectacular collection of paintings and stories spanning centuries. 7.45 to 8.45 pm on 18 May - International Museum Day.

Another enriching annual talk session on “Buddhism & Science” by Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul is scheduled on 13th May 2026 at CIBS, Leh at 5:00 PM. Join us for a profound exploration of the intersection between ancient wisdom and modern science. This session promises deep insights into mind, reality, and human potential. All are warmly welcome. Register at www.tathagata.co.in https://forms.gle/Wt9tkMnActpKv92Q7 (Limited Seats)