India's Prime Minister Modi rejoices in the homecoming of Piprahwa Buddha relics, which have been in foreign hands for 127 years, now back in the country.
In a significant turn of events, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have been returned to India after 127 years. Discovered in 1898 during the excavation of an ancient Buddhist stupa in Uttar Pradesh, near the India-Nepal border, these relics hold immense spiritual and archaeological significance for India and the global Buddhist community.
Historically, after their discovery, the majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899. However, a portion was retained by the Peppé family and eventually taken out of India during the colonial era. This portion surfaced for auction in Hong Kong earlier this year.
The Indian government, through a decisive intervention and a public-private partnership involving the Ministry of Culture and Godrej Industries Group, successfully secured the relics and repatriated them to India in July 2025. This repatriation was celebrated as a landmark moment of cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation by Indian officials, including Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted India's deep reverence for Lord Buddha's teachings and emphasized the significance of the relics to India's cultural heritage. He also appreciated all those involved in the effort to return the Piprahwa relics, stating, "The return of the Piprahwa relics illustrates India's commitment to preserving and protecting its glorious culture."
The key components of the relics include bone fragments believed to be from Gautama Buddha, as well as soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, gold ornaments, and gemstones such as amethysts, garnets, pearls, coral, and shells, many fashioned into beads, pendants, and ornaments.
The returned Piprahwa relics are planned for formal unveiling and public display at the National Museum in India, allowing citizens and global visitors to pay homage and witness these rare artifacts. This event was a proud and joyous moment for India's cultural heritage, underscoring India's close association with Lord Buddha and his teachings.
In a statement about the event, Prime Minister Modi wrote, "The return of the Piprahwa relics underscores India's commitment to preserving and protecting its glorious culture. This moment is a testament to our steadfast commitment to preserving our spiritual and historical legacy." The Prime Minister's statement embodied the spirit of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi," a vision that encompasses both development and cultural heritage.
References: 1. The Economic Times 2. The Hindu 3. India Today 4. NDTV 5. The Times of India
Politics was abuzz with the news of the repatriation of the Piprahwa relics, a subject of general-news interest, as it was celebrated as a landmark moment of cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation by Indian officials. The Prime Minister, in his statement, emphasized the significance of the event to India's cultural heritage and added that it underscores India's commitment to preserving and protecting its glorious culture, a reflection of the "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" (development and cultural heritage) vision.
