The sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha departed for India today after a week-long public exposition at the revered Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Culture Ministry informed that the ceremonial departure took place at Bandaranaike International Airport in the presence of Sri Lankan Ministers and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.

 

The Holy Relics, which were taken abroad for their first-ever international exposition, are being escorted back by a high-level Indian delegation. The delegation was led by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai Patel, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, along with senior Buddhist monks and officials. The exposition was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April last year. 

 

The Ministry added that over one million devotees participated in the public veneration and paid homage to the relics. Meanwhile, several senior Sri Lankan leaders, including the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, former Presidents and other dignitaries paid their respects during the exposition.

 

It further added that two special exhibitions titled ‘Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa’ and ‘Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India’ were organised. The Ministry noted that the exposition has reinforced India’s role as a custodian of global Buddhist heritage and its continued commitment to deepening people-to-people and cultural linkages with Sri Lanka.