Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India as a “joyous day for our cultural heritage,” marking a moment of national pride and historical significance.
In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said,
” A joyous day for our cultural heritage! It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years. These sacred relics highlight India’s close association with Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings. It also illustrates our commitment to preserving and protecting different aspects of our glorious culture”
The relics, believed to be among the ancient remains of Siddhartha Gautama—revered as the Buddha—had been housed in the United Kingdom since their discovery in 1898 at Piprahwa, located in present-day Uttar Pradesh near the India-Nepal border. British archaeologist William Claxton Peppe unearthed the relics from a stupa, sparking global scholarly interest and reverence among Buddhist communities.
The return of the relics follows extensive diplomatic and cultural efforts between India and the UK, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India. Cultural experts and Buddhist leaders across the globe have welcomed the development as a powerful gesture of restitution and respect.
The relics will now be enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi, where they will be accessible to the public and followers of Buddhism from across the world. Authorities are also considering a special exhibition and a ceremonial procession to mark the relics’ homecoming.
Historians note that the Piprahwa relics serve as a tangible link to Lord Buddha’s life and teachings, which originated in India over 2,500 years ago and have since influenced spiritual thought across Asia and beyond.
Prime Minister Modi’s message underscores the importance his government places on safeguarding India’s ancient civilisational treasures and spiritual legacy, as part of a broader cultural revival under his leadership.
