A rare Buddhist relic dating back to the 3rd century BC was taken out from the museum and shown to the public at Lalitgiri in Jajpur district, Odisha. This happened on January 16 during the second Guru Padmasambhava ceremony. Monks, scholars, and devotees from all over the country got the chance to see it, said an official on January 19, 2026. The ceremony included rituals, prayers, and meditation honoring Guru Padmasambhava, the famous Buddhist master who spread Vajrayana Buddhism. It highlighted his teachings on compassion, mindfulness, and enlightenment. An official statement from the State government said, "Marking the solemn occasion, a rare Buddhist relic dating back to the 3rd century BC, as identified by the Archaeological Survey of India, was ceremonially brought out of its protected enclosure at the ASI Lalitgiri Museum and placed on public display on January 16." Usually, the relic is kept under strict conservation rules. But for this special event, it was made available to the public, giving devotees a rare chance to pay homage. Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister for Odia Language, Literature & Culture department, said, "The observance reaffirmed Lalitgiri's importance on the global Buddhist map and further positioned Odisha as a custodian of ancient Buddhist civilisation, heritage, and living traditions." The public display was a joint effort by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Department of Tourism, and the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture. They worked together to protect and respectfully present Odisha's rich Buddhist heritage. The event was organized carefully with religious leaders and archaeological experts to keep the relic safe and honored at all times.