PM Modi hails return of sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India after 127 long years, calling it a proud and joyous moment for the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

In a statement reflecting the spirit of Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi, he underscored the deep reverence India holds for Lord Buddha’s teachings and the nation’s unwavering commitment to preserving its spiritual and historical legacy.

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In a thread post on X, Modi said, “A joyous day for our cultural heritage! It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years. These sacred relics highlight India’s close association with Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings. It also illustrates our commitment to preserving and protecting different aspects of our glorious culture. #VikasBhiVirasatBhi”

“It may be recalled that the Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 but were taken away from India during the colonial period. When they appeared in an international auction earlier this year, we worked to ensure they returned home. I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort.”

India has significantly deepened its cultural and spiritual ties with Southeast Asia through a series of high-profile initiatives centred around Buddhist heritage and tourism.

Over the past two years, the government has facilitated two major expositions of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha.

The first, held in Thailand from February 22 to March 19, 2024, showcased relics of Buddha and his disciples across four venues, drawing over 4 million devotees, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on July 24.

The second, the minister said, hosted in Vietnam from May 2 to June 2, 2025, featured relics from Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh, displayed at nine locations during Vesak celebrations, attracting an estimated 18 million visitors.

These efforts have not only reinforced India’s civilisational bonds with Buddhist-majority nations but also advanced cultural diplomacy under the ASEAN-India cooperation framework, said the minister in the reply.