Over a million devotees venerated sacred Devnimori relics in Sri Lanka

Over a million worshippers paid their respects to the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha during a special event in Sri Lanka. The Exposition of these Holy Relics, which arrived in Sri Lanka on February 4, concluded successfully at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. Today, on the 11th, the relics began their journey back to India. The High Commission of India in Colombo stated that Shri Mangubhai C. Patel, the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, and Shri Chowna Mein, the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, accompanied the relics on their return. A ceremonial farewell took place at Bandaranaike International Airport. Attendees included Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake, the Deputy Minister in the same field, and Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. During their visit, the Indian delegation met with several Sri Lankan officials. They included Vijitha Herath, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Anton Jayakody, the Deputy Minister of Environment, and Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya, the Governor of the North Western Province. The dignitaries also engaged with members of the Indian community living in Sri Lanka. The Exposition was officially opened on February 4 by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, along with Shri Acharya Devvrat, the Governor of Gujarat, and Shri Harsh Sanghavi, the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, who represented India. The Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, was also present. Throughout the week-long event, more than one million devotees visited to honor the Holy Relics. Prominent figures such as Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, various Cabinet Ministers, the Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, former Presidents, and many Members of Parliament also visited the temple to pay their respects. This event was especially notable as it marked the first time these Holy Relics were displayed for public veneration outside of India. Alongside the Exposition, two exhibitions titled “Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa” and “Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India” were held, showcasing the common Buddhist heritage shared by India and Sri Lanka. The Exposition was announced by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, further enhancing the cultural and spiritual connections between the two nations.