Sacred Buddha Relics from India Arrive in Sri Lanka for Public Viewing

On February 4, 2026, a significant religious event took place in Sri Lanka. The sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha arrived from Gujarat, India, for a special public exhibition. This event is important because it is the first time these relics, discovered in Gujarat, are displayed outside India. The relics were brought to Sri Lanka with full state honors. They arrived by an Indian Air Force aircraft, accompanied by a high-level Indian delegation. The delegation was led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The relics were received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lankan Ministers Hiniduma Sunil Senevi and A.H.M.H. Abayarathna. The event was officially inaugurated by the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. It also included the participation of important officials from India, highlighting the significance of this occasion. The relics are now on display at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and will be open to the public from February 5 to February 11, 2026. The relics include a casket with inscriptions in Brahmi and Sanskrit. The inscriptions read "Dashabala Sharira Nilaya," which means "the abode of the bodily relic of Lord Buddha." The relics are believed to have been discovered at the Devnimori archaeological site in Gujarat’s Aravalli district during the 1960s. This site is located near Shamlaji, in western India. The purpose of this exhibition is to promote cultural and spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka. It follows discussions between the leaders of both countries, including a conversation between the Sri Lankan President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. This exchange reflects India's efforts to share its rich spiritual heritage with Sri Lanka and reinforce historic bonds. The relics are considered a sacred part of Buddhist history. Their display aims to allow the public to venerate and learn about Lord Buddha’s teachings. The relics will be accessible 24 hours a day during the exhibition period, allowing visitors ample opportunity for veneration. This event is notably the first public viewing of the Devnimori Relics outside of India. It symbolizes the deep-rooted spiritual and civilizational connections between the two nations. The relics are currently housed at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Gujarat. The exhibition also highlights the importance of preserving and sharing cultural heritage. The relics, being centuries old, serve as important links to India’s Buddhist past and its historical ties to Sri Lanka. In summary, the arrival of the Devnimori Relics in Sri Lanka marks a significant religious and cultural milestone. It offers an opportunity for the public to connect with the spiritual history of Buddhism and to celebrate the enduring bond between India and Sri Lanka. The event is expected to draw many visitors and deepen the spiritual exchanges between these closely linked nations.