Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha, titled The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One, at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that after one hundred and twenty-five years of waiting, India’s heritage has returned and its legacy has come back.
Mr Modi said, from today, the people of the country will be able to have the sacred darshan of these holy relics of Lord Buddha and receive his divine blessings. Mr Modi pointed out that those who took the relics of Lord Buddha away were trying to auction them in the international market, but for India, these relics are part of its Lord and society. He said that’s why the government decided to stop the auction.
Mr Modi emphasised that India is not only the custodian of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, but also a living carrier of that timeless tradition. The Prime Minister said that for India, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha are not merely artifacts as they are a part of the country’s revered heritage and an inseparable part of its civilisation. He noted that the wisdom and path shown by Lord Buddha belong to all of humanity.
Speaking about Buddhist heritage, the Prime Minister said that India has made continuous efforts to contribute to the development of Buddhist heritage sites across the world. He said, Buddhist sites are being modernised today, and new facilities are being built for the pilgrims. Mr Modi said that Lord Buddha’s teachings are originally in the Pali language, and the effort of his government is to take Pali to the audience in a broader manner. He said, for this, Pali has been accorded the status of a classical language.
Discovered in 1898, the Piprahwa relics hold a central place in the archaeological study of early Buddhism. These are among the earliest and most historically significant relic deposits directly connected to Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence associates the Piprahwa site with ancient Kapilavastu, widely identified as the place where Bhagwan Buddha spent his early life prior to renunciation.
The Exposition brings together, for the first time, the Piprahwa relics repatriated after more than a century from Piprahwa that are preserved in the collections of the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, this historic event marks the reunification of the Piprahwa gem relics of Lord Buddha, repatriated after 127 years. He said, it is a matter of inspiration and pride for the whole country. He said his Ministry is moving in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of development, with the preservation of the country’s heritage.
Mr Shekhawat said that his Ministry is working towards the preservation of the country’s archaeological and cultural heritage, digitising manuscripts and strengthening the country’s cultural traditions.
The exposition highlights India’s deep and continuing civilizational link with the teachings of Lord Buddha and reflects the Prime Minister’s commitment to preserving the country’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The recent repatriation of these relics has been achieved through sustained government effort, institutional cooperation and innovative public-private partnership.
