Buddha’s Sacred Relics Return to India After 127 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the triumphant return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India, 127 years after they were taken during colonial rule. Unearthed in 1898 from a Buddhist stupa in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, near the India-Nepal border, these relics—comprising bone fragments believed to be Gautam Buddha’s, along with soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and gold ornaments—were gifted to the King of Siam (Thailand) for global Buddhist distribution.

Modi, in a post on X, hailed the repatriation as a “joyous day for our cultural heritage,” emphasizing India’s deep ties to Buddha’s teachings and commitment to preserving its legacy. The relics surfaced at an international auction earlier this year, prompting swift government action to secure their return. “I appreciate all those involved in this effort,” Modi said.

The large stone coffer that once housed these relics remains displayed at the Indian Museum in Kolkata, per the Piprahwa project website. The return of these artifacts underscores India’s ongoing mission to reclaim its cultural treasures lost to colonial-era dislocations, sparking national pride and reinforcing the nation’s historical bond with Buddhism.

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