The over two hundred-year-old iconic Gandan (Gandantegchinlen) Monastery is the heart, the nerve centre of Mongolian Buddhism. It stands as the symbol of Mongolian culture, knowledge systems and education.

Was happy to welcome Venerable Gankhuyag Magsarjav – In Charge of International Relations of Gandan Monastery and Dr J Ganbaatar, Pro-Rector of Zanabazar Buddhist University of Mongolia, located in the Monastery. The University is the principal institution for higher Buddhist education in Mongolia. Was happy to renew my contacts with the Monastery and the University.

From the iconic Ven Kushak Bakula Rinpoche, to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s efforts to take the Relics of Moggallana and Sariputta across Southeast Asia, to Dr Raghuvira, to PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Gandan in 2015, the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, to the same Relics of Moggallana and Sariputta being taken to Mongolia in 2026, we covered an entire era.

PM Modi’s successful efforts in preventing the auctioning of the Piprahwa Relics found special mention by them.

The description of India-Mongolia as “spiritual neighbours” found special resonance, becoming the title of future projects to be undertaken at Gandan.