In a profound gesture of spiritual outreach and cultural diplomacy, India will exhibit the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka from February 4 to 10, 2026. The exposition, to be held at the revered Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, reflects India’s enduring civilizational responsibility as the birthplace of Buddhism and its commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties with Sri Lanka.
The Holy Relics, currently enshrined at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, will travel to Colombo with full state honours aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. The Indian delegation will be led by Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, and Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Senior monks and officials will accompany the delegation, which will participate in ceremonial, religious, and official engagements, including the formal inauguration of the exposition and related cultural exhibitions.
Gangaramaya Temple: A Sacred Venue
The Holy Relics will be enshrined at the iconic Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, one of Sri Lanka’s most spiritually significant Buddhist institutions. Founded in the late nineteenth century by Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, the temple is a centre of worship, learning, and cultural exchange.
In a country where Buddhism shapes cultural ethos and daily life, the exposition is expected to draw large numbers of devotees and resonate deeply across Sri Lankan society.
Devnimori: A Site of Historic Significance
The Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site near Shamlaji in Gujarat’s Aravalli district. Excavated in 1957 by renowned archaeologist Prof. S. N. Chowdhry, the site revealed important Buddhist structures, highlighting the flourishing of Buddhism in western India during the early centuries of the Common Era.
The relics stand as both a priceless archaeological treasure and a living symbol of Lord Buddha’s timeless teachings of peace, compassion, and harmony.
Details of the Sacred Relic Casket
The relic casket, discovered within 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 nilay,” meaning the abode of the Buddha’s bodily relic.
Inside the casket lies a copper box containing organic material with holy ashes, silk cloth, beads, and a gold-coated silver-copper bottle. The relics are now preserved in an airtight glass desiccator to prevent deterioration.
Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power
Beyond its spiritual significance, the exposition serves as a powerful instrument of India’s cultural diplomacy. By sharing its most sacred Buddhist heritage, India reinforces the civilizational foundations of its relationship with Sri Lanka, rooted in shared faith and history.
The initiative enhances mutual trust, deepens people-to-people connections, and complements formal diplomatic engagement with emotional and cultural resonance.
Continuing a Global Tradition
The Sri Lanka exposition builds on India’s long tradition of sharing Buddhist relics globally. In recent years, relics of Lord Buddha have been exhibited in Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, the Russian Federation, and Bhutan, drawing millions of devotees.
The event also follows the recent repatriation of the sacred Piprahwa Jewel Relics to India, hailed as a historic homecoming of a national treasure.
A Message of Peace and Shared Heritage
Through the Devnimori Relics exposition, India once again conveys the universal message of Buddha Dhamma non-violence, compassion, and coexistence. The journey of the relics stands as a symbol of peace and a reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka.