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The sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha are returning to India on Wednesday after a week-long public exposition at the revered Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.
The Holy Relics, which were taken abroad for their first-ever international exposition, were escorted back by a high-level Indian delegation led by Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh 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 High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.
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A large number of devotees from across the island nation visited the Gangaramaya Temple during the seven-day exposition to pay homage to the relics. Over one million devotees participated in the public veneration, making the exposition a major spiritual and cultural milestone. 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.
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The exposition was inaugurated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the Sri Lankan leadership expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for enabling this historic spiritual event. From the Indian side, the inauguration was attended by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Complementing the exposition, special exhibitions titled “Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa” and “Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India” were organised, showcasing the shared Buddhist heritage and civilisational links between India and Sri Lanka.
The historic exposition, announced by PM Modi during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, has strengthened the centuries-old spiritual and civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka. It has also 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, the Ministry of Culture said.
The special delegation from India departed for India with the sacred Devni Mori relics of Lord Buddha, carrying them with reverence, respect, and dignity. With this auspicious occasion, a historic and emotional chapter of the shared Buddhist heritage between India and Sri Lanka has come to a close.
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