Buddha Relics Return After Sri Lanka Exposition
Over one million devotees attend week-long public veneration in Colombo
- Sacred Devnimori relics return to India after first overseas exposition
- Over one million devotees visited Colombo’s Gangaramaya Temple
- Indian delegation led the ceremonial return
- Event strengthens India–Sri Lanka Buddhist ties
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th Feb: The sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha returned to India on Wednesday after a week-long public exposition at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, drawing more than one million devotees.
The relics, displayed abroad for the first time, were escorted back by a high-level Indian delegation led by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel and Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, along with senior Buddhist monks and officials. The ceremonial departure took place at Bandaranaike International Airport in the presence of Sri Lankan ministers and the Indian High Commissioner.
Thousands of devotees from across Sri Lanka visited the temple during the seven-day exposition to pay homage to the relics. Senior Sri Lankan leaders, including the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and former Presidents, also offered their respects.
The exposition was inaugurated by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Sri Lankan leaders expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for enabling the spiritual event. From the Indian side, the inauguration was attended by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Alongside the exposition, special exhibitions titled “Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa” and “Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India” were organised, highlighting shared Buddhist heritage and civilisational links between the two countries.
The exposition was announced by Prime Minister Modi during his state visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. Officials said the initiative has strengthened long-standing spiritual ties and people-to-people connections between India and Sri Lanka, while underlining India’s role as a custodian of global Buddhist heritage.
The Indian delegation returned with the relics with ceremonial honours, marking the conclusion of the historic spiritual exchange.
