Lord Buddha's Relics from Gujarat to be Displayed in Sri Lanka for Public Viewing

Starting February 4, Lord Buddha's relics from Gujarat will be publicly displayed in Sri Lanka. The exhibition includes holy ashes and ceremonial items, marking a significant cultural exchange.

Starting February 4, relics of Lord Buddha from Vadodara, Gujarat, will be exhibited in Sri Lanka for a week. The collection includes holy ashes, a ceremonial robe, and a stone reliquary box adorned with silver and gold wires. This box features inscriptions in Brahmi and Sanskrit, translating to "Place of Lord Buddha's remains."

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid floral tributes to these relics at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda's Department of Archaeology and Ancient Studies. The event was attended by members of the Buddhist Mahabodhi Society and dignitaries like Rajmata Shubhangini Raje Gaekwad.

Transport and Cultural Exchange

The relics will travel to Sri Lanka via Delhi, arriving in Colombo during the Sri Lankan New Year. This initiative is part of a cultural exchange agreement between India and Sri Lanka, established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2025 visit. The display aligns with Sri Lanka's Buddhist-majority population.

The relics were safeguarded near the Vimleshwar Mahadev temple, one of Vadodara's oldest sites, by the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. They were discovered during excavations at a mound near Devnimori, close to Shamlaji in Gujarat.

Historical Significance

In 1957, Professor S N Chaudhary identified the site where these relics were found. Systematic excavations began after 1960, revealing a Buddhist monastery that declined in the 8th century. This monastery is believed to belong to the Hinayana tradition.

Under chief monk Mahasena's guidance, monks Agnivarna and Sudarshan built a Sharir Stupa near this monastery. These sacred items will be on display in Colombo until February 11.

With inputs from PTI