India Sends Sacred Devnimori Buddha Relics to Sri Lanka for Public Exposition
In a significant gesture of spiritual outreach and cultural diplomacy, India is sending the holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka for a public exposition. The relics, currently enshrined at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, will be displayed in Colombo from February 4 to 10, 2026, before returning to India on February 11.
Ceremonial Departure from Vadodara
The sacred relics will be sent to Sri Lanka by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel following a ceremonial function in Vadodara on Tuesday. The event will include a guard of honour and floral tributes, marking the beginning of this spiritual journey. A high-level delegation will accompany the relics, comprising Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, senior monks, and government officials.
Historical Significance of Devnimori Relics
The Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site near Shamlaji in Gujarat's Aravalli district. This site, first explored in 1957 by archaeologist Prof. S N Chowdhry, revealed important Buddhist structures and relics that testify to the flourishing of Buddhism in western India during the early centuries of the Common Era.
The relic casket itself is a remarkable artifact:
- Found within the Devnimori Stupa at a height of 24 feet from the base
- Made from green schist stone
- Inscribed in Brahmi Script and Sanskrit with the phrase "dashabala sharira nilaya" (the abode of the Buddha's bodily relic)
The casket contains a copper box holding organic material with holy ashes, silk cloth, and beads. It consists of three parts: the body, the lid, and a knob with a rounded top. The copper box features a slip-on lid and contains additional precious items including a gold-coated silver-copper bottle with a screw-type lid.
Journey to Colombo with State Honors
The Holy Relics will travel aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft from Vadodara to Colombo via Delhi, reflecting the reverence with which India upholds its sacred heritage. According to a Press Information Bureau release, "This sacred journey underscores India's enduring civilisational responsibility as the birthplace of Buddhism and reaffirms the deep spiritual, cultural and people-to-people bonds between India and Sri Lanka."
During their stay in Sri Lanka, the relics will be enshrined for public veneration at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, one of the country's most iconic and spiritually significant Buddhist institutions. The Indian delegation will participate in various ceremonial, religious, and official engagements, including the formal inauguration of the exposition and associated exhibitions highlighting India's Buddhist legacy.
Diplomatic and Cultural Significance
This exposition serves multiple purposes beyond its spiritual dimension. The PIB statement emphasized that "the exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics in Sri Lanka serves a vital diplomatic purpose by advancing India's cultural diplomacy and reinforcing its people-centric foreign policy."
The initiative represents several important aspects of India's foreign relations:
- Strengthening civilizational foundations of bilateral relationships
- Fostering deeper people-to-people connections
- Enhancing mutual trust between nations
- Complementing formal diplomatic engagements with cultural resonance
The statement further noted that "the exposition acts as a powerful instrument of soft power" that reaffirms India's role as a responsible custodian of global Buddhist heritage while strengthening regional harmony in the Indian Ocean neighbourhood.
Continuation of India's Buddhist Heritage Sharing
This exposition in Sri Lanka builds upon India's longstanding tradition of sharing its Buddhist heritage with the world. In recent years, sacred relics of Lord Buddha have been successfully exhibited in several countries including Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, the Russian Federation, and Bhutan, drawing millions of devotees and strengthening international people-to-people connections.
The Devnimori Relics represent not only a priceless archaeological treasure but also a living symbol of the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha—peace, compassion, and harmony. Their journey to Sri Lanka reinforces the shared faith, history, and values that anchor the bilateral relationship between the two South Asian nations.
