Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha to Be Exhibited in Colombo From Tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1st): India is set to undertake a profound gesture of spiritual outreach and cultural diplomacy through the exposition of the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, in a continuation of the vision articulated by the Prime Minister of India during his visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. 

According to a statement released by India's Ministry of Culture together with the Press Information Bureau of India (PIB), the Holy Relics, presently enshrined at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, will travel to Colombo for a public exposition from 4 to 10 February 2026, with their return scheduled on 11 February 2026. 

The Holy Relics will be accompanied by a high-level Indian delegation led by Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, and Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, along with senior monks and officials. 

In keeping with established protocol and the sanctity accorded to the Relics, they will travel with full state honours aboard a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The delegation will participate in ceremonial, religious and official engagements in Colombo, including the formal inauguration of the exposition and associated exhibitions. 

The Holy Relics will be enshrined for public veneration at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

The Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site, located near Shamlaji in the Aravalli district of Gujarat, a site of immense historical and spiritual significance. 

First explored in 1957 by eminent Indian archaeologist Prof. S. N. Chowdhry, the excavations revealed important Buddhist structures and relics that stand testimony to the flourishing of Buddhism in western India during the early centuries of the Common Era. 

The relics represent not only a priceless archaeological treasure but also a living symbol of the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha, peace, compassion and harmony.