Gujarat will play a key role in India’s cultural diplomacy as officials from the state head the Indian delegation showcasing the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka. The relics, currently housed at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara, will be exhibited at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from February 4 to 10, before returning to India on February 11. Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will lead the delegation, which includes senior monks and officials, with the relics traveling on a special Indian Air Force aircraft with full state honors.
The delegation’s visit to Colombo will involve participation in ceremonial, religious, and official events, including the inauguration of the exposition and exhibitions showcasing India’s Buddhist heritage. Originating from the Devnimori archaeological site in Gujarat’s Aravalli district, near Shamlaji, the relics were excavated in 1957 by archaeologist S.N. Chowdhry, revealing significant Buddhist structures and relics dating back to the early centuries of the Common Era. The relics consist of a green schist casket inscribed in Brahmi and Sanskrit, denoting “dashabala sharira nilay” – the abode of the Buddha’s bodily relic, containing holy ashes, silk cloth, beads, and a gold-coated silver-copper bottle, all preserved in an air-tight glass desiccator with a cotton base to prevent deterioration.
The exhibition at Colombo’s Gangaramaya Temple, a prominent Buddhist institution in Sri Lanka, is expected to attract devotees from across the country. This initiative underscores Gujarat’s historical and cultural importance in Buddhism and its contemporary role in supporting India’s civilizational diplomacy. By sharing the Devnimori Relics, India strengthens its enduring spiritual and cultural bonds with Sri Lanka, while Gujarat’s leadership in the delegation highlights the state’s unique efforts in safeguarding Buddhist heritage and promoting people-to-people connections between the two nations.
