India will showcase the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka from February 4 to 10 as part of a major spiritual and cultural outreach initiative, reinforcing centuries-old civilisational ties between the two countries. The public exposition will be held at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, with the relics returning to India on February 11.
The exposition follows the vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025 and reflects India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy and people-to-people engagement rooted in shared Buddhist heritage. The relics are currently preserved at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, in Gujarat’s Vadodara.
A high-level Indian delegation led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will accompany the relics. Senior monks and government officials will also be part of the delegation. In keeping with established protocol and the sanctity of the relics, they will be transported with full state honours aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. The delegation will take part in ceremonial, religious and official events, including the formal inauguration of the exposition.
The relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the historic Gangaramaya Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist institutions and a major centre for religious learning and cultural exchange. Given the central role of Buddhism in Sri Lankan society, the exposition is expected to draw large numbers of devotees from across the country.
The Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site near Shamlaji in Gujarat’s Aravalli district. Excavated in 1957 by archaeologist S. N. Chowdhry, the site revealed significant Buddhist remains dating back to the early centuries of the Common Era, highlighting the spread of Buddhism in western India.
The relic casket, discovered inside the Devnimori Stupa at a height of 24 feet, is made of green schist and bears an inscription in Brahmi script and Sanskrit reading “Dashabala Sharira Nilaya,” meaning “the abode of the Buddha’s bodily relic.” The casket contained a copper box with holy ashes, silk cloth and beads, along with a gold-coated silver-copper vessel. The relics are now preserved in an airtight glass desiccator to prevent deterioration.
Beyond its religious importance, the exposition is seen as a significant diplomatic gesture, strengthening India-Sri Lanka relations through shared cultural and spiritual traditions. The Ministry of Culture said the initiative reflects India’s people-centric foreign policy and its role as a responsible custodian of global Buddhist heritage.
The Sri Lanka exposition builds on India’s recent efforts to share sacred Buddhist relics internationally. In recent years, relics of Lord Buddha have been exhibited in countries including Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia and Bhutan, drawing millions of devotees. The event also follows the recent repatriation of the sacred Piprahwa Jewel Relics to India, described by the Prime Minister as the return of a priceless national treasure.
Through the exposition of the Devnimori Relics, India seeks to reaffirm the universal message of Buddha Dhamma-peace, compassion and coexistence – while celebrating the enduring friendship and civilisational bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
