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Sacred Buddha Relics Return to India After 127 Years, PM Modi Hails Historic Moment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a grand exhibition featuring the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, repatriated to India after 127 years. He described the event as a profound moment of national pride, reverence, and restored cultural connection. The relics, unearthed in 1898, were nearly auctioned internationally before efforts secured their return. The exhibition now allows Indian citizens to view and seek blessings from these historically significant artifacts.

Key Points: PM Modi Inaugurates Exhibition of Repatriated Piprahwa Buddha Relics

  • Historic repatriation after 127 years
  • Relics displayed in New Delhi exhibition
  • PM Modi highlights cultural reconnection
  • Artifacts rescued from international auction
2 min read

PM Modi says return of Piprahwa relics is "moment of pride, reverence and cultural connect"

PM Modi inaugurates exhibition of sacred Piprahwa Buddha relics returned after 127 years, calling it a moment of national pride and cultural reconnection.

PM Modi says return of Piprahwa relics is "moment of pride, reverence and cultural connect"
"The heritage of India has returned to the country after a wait of 125 years... - PM Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, January 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the return of Piprahwa relics associated with Lord Buddha is a "moment of pride, reverence and cultural connect."

Sharing the highlights of today's programme, the Prime Minister, in a post on X, wrote, "The return of the sacred Piprahwa relics associated with Bhagwan Buddha after over a century is a moment of pride, reverence and cultural connect. Here are the highlights from today's programme."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics, titled "The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One," at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi.

The exhibition marks a historic moment with the reunification of the Piprahwa gem relics of Lord Buddha, repatriated after 127 years. The display also features relics, gem relics, and reliquaries unearthed during the 1898 excavation and the subsequent 1971-1975 excavations at the Piprahwa site.

Prime Minister Modi said that India's priceless heritage has returned to the country after a wait of 125 years, referring to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha that are now on display.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that Indian citizens will now be able to have darshan of the pure relics of Lord Buddha and seek His blessings. He expressed gratitude that the Lord Buddha's relics have returned to India, calling it a moment of national pride.

PM Narendra Modi said, "The heritage of India has returned to the country after a wait of 125 years... Now Indian citizens will be able to have darshan of these pure relics of Lord Buddha and take His blessings."

"We are grateful to have the relics of Lord Buddha among us... Slavery destroys our heritage - and the same happened with the relics of Lord Buddha, they were snatched from India... Those who took them away were trying to auction them in the international market because... But for India, these relics are a part of our Lord and our society. This is why we decided to stop their auction," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
A very significant step in reclaiming our history. The PM is right - colonialism robbed us of so much. Glad future generations can now seek blessings from these relics in their homeland.
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Sarah B
As someone interested in archaeology and history, this is fascinating. The repatriation of cultural artifacts is always complex. It's good to see a positive resolution here that respects the relics' spiritual significance.
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Rohit P
While the return is welcome, I hope the focus remains on the spiritual significance of Lord Buddha's message of peace, not just political symbolism. The exhibition should be accessible to all, not just a one-time event.
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Meera T
Bhagwan Buddha belongs to the world, but his roots are here. It's heartening that Indians can now have darshan without traveling abroad. My family is already planning a trip to Delhi to see this. 🪷
D
David E
This is a positive development for cultural diplomacy. Preserving and showcasing such heritage strengthens a nation's soft power. Well done to all involved in the negotiations.

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