Sacred Piprahwa relics back in India after 127 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India, 127 years after they were taken abroad during the colonial era.

Hailing the repatriation as a triumph of India’s enduring civilisational ethos, the PM underscored the government’s cultural vision of ensuring progress along with the preservation of heritage.

“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,” PM Modi posted on X.

“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,” he added.

The revered relics are believed to contain bone fragments of Lord Buddha along with crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and ritual offerings, as they were originally discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh, a site linked to the ancient city of Kapilavastu, where Lord Buddha is believed to have spent his formative years.

Taken from India during British rule, the relics resurfaced earlier this year in a high-profile international auction. The Indian government took swift diplomatic and legal action to halt the sale and bring these back.

“When they appeared in an international auction earlier this year, we worked to ensure they returned home. I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort,” said the PM.

The Ministry of Culture, in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and international legal experts, launched an aggressive campaign to stop the auction and reclaim the relics. A legal notice was served to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, demanding an immediate halt to the sale. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also stepped in, requesting the Indian Consulate General in Hong Kong to raise the issue with the local authorities.

During a bilateral meeting on May 2, 2025, Culture Minister Shekhawat pressed the matter with the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy. Stressing the religious and cultural importance of the relics, the minister urged for swift action to stop the auction and facilitate the return.

Three days later, on May 5, the Ministry of Culture held a high-level review meeting to chart out the next steps. The MEA activated its Europe West and East Asia divisions to engage with Indian embassies in the UK and Hong Kong and ensure the sacred items were not lost again to foreign hands.

Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat finally received the relics at the Delhi airport.