NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 3, declared that India has reclaimed a priceless part of its civilisational soul, as the sacred relics of Bhagwan Buddha returned to the country after more than 125 years. Describing the occasion as deeply emotional and historic, the Prime Minister said the return of the relics corrects a grave injustice inflicted during colonial rule.
#WATCH | Delhi | PM Narendra Modi says, "The heritage of India has returned to the country after a wait of 125 years… Now Indian citizens will be able to have darshan of these pure relics of Lord Buddha and take His blessings…"
(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/UGDhCYcTaL
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
Speaking at the inauguration of the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics – “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” at Delhi’s Rai Pithora Cultural Complex, PM Modi said Indians can now once again have darshan of the pure relics of Bhagwan Buddha and seek His blessings, calling it a moment of collective pride for the nation.
In a powerful indictment of colonial exploitation, the Prime Minister said the relics of Bhagwan Buddha were snatched from India during the era of slavery and later treated as commodities in international markets.
“Slavery destroys a nation’s heritage. The same happened with the relics of Bhagwan Buddha. Those who took them away tried to auction them abroad. But for India, these relics are not objects they are a part of our Bhagwan, our society and our consciousness,” PM Modi said.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "… We are grateful to have the relics of Lord Buddha among us… Slavery destroys our heritage – and the same happened with the relics of Lord Buddha, they were snatched from India… Those who took them away were trying to auction them in the… pic.twitter.com/yoX6114E0S
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
He underlined that it was this civilisational responsibility that compelled India to intervene decisively and stop the auction, ensuring the relics’ return to their rightful home.
The exhibition marks the reunification of the Piprahwa gem relics after 127 years, making it one of the most significant cultural and archaeological events in independent India. The display brings together:
- The repatriated Piprahwa relics, returned after more than a century
- Authentic relics, gem relics and reliquaries from the 1898 excavation
- Artefacts from the 1971–75 excavations, preserved at the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata
Discovered in 1898, the Piprahwa relics are among the earliest and most historically significant relic deposits directly linked to Bhagwan Buddha. Archaeological evidence associates Piprahwa with ancient Kapilavastu, widely believed to be the place where Bhagwan Buddha spent his early life before renunciation.
PM Modi stressed that India’s role goes far beyond preservation. “India is not just the protector of Bhagwan Buddha’s heritage India is the carrier of His traditions,” he said.
Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Prime Minister noted that thousands of relics linked to Buddhism were discovered in the state, and that today, his government is protecting those relics and ensuring that their spiritual and philosophical significance is passed on to future generations.
He highlighted the government’s efforts to:
- Modernise Buddhist pilgrimage sites
- Build world-class facilities for pilgrims
- Promote the Pali language, now accorded classical language status
- Deepen youth engagement with India’s spiritual and cultural roots
In a rare personal reflection, PM Modi spoke about the deep influence of Bhagwan Buddha on his own life. “I was born in a city that was a major centre of Buddhist teachings. Sarnath, my karmabhoomi, is where Bhagwan Buddha gave His first sermon,” he said.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "… Lord Buddha had a deep impact on my life. I was born in a city which was a major centre of Buddhist teachings… Sarnath, my Karmabhoomi, is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first teachings… I tried to spread the heritage of Lord Buddha… pic.twitter.com/zIaP7Vg4EZ
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2026
He recalled carrying a sapling of the Bodhi tree during his visits to countries like China, Japan and Mongolia, as a symbol of India’s civilisational message of peace, compassion and enlightenment.
The exposition has attracted historians, scholars, cultural experts and Buddhist followers from across India and abroad, underlining India’s growing role as the global torchbearer of Buddha’s message.
Tomorrow, 3rd January, is a very special day for those passionate about history, culture and the ideals of Bhagwan Buddha.
At 11 AM, the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics related to Bhagwan Buddha, ‘The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One’, will… pic.twitter.com/V6bPwZjsK7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 2, 2026
Posting images from the exhibition on X, PM Modi urged citizens passionate about culture, history and Buddhism to experience the exposition, calling it an effort to reconnect modern India with its ancient spiritual wisdom.
