Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein on Monday arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as part of an official Indian delegation to receive and facilitate the return of the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha. He was accompanied by Madhya Pradesh governor Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel.“Deeply honoured to be part of the delegation for bringing back Holy Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha from Sri Lanka,” Mein wrote in a post on X, describing the occasion as one of “immense spiritual and national importance” with deep civilisational significance.He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating him to be part of the delegation, saying, “This sacred and historic occasion holds profound spiritual, cultural and civilisational significance for the nation and for millions of Buddhists across the world.”
The relics, excavated in the 1960s from the ancient Buddhist site of Devnimori in Gujarat’s Aravalli region, are among the most revered Buddhist antiquities discovered in India. Archaeologists uncovered a stupa dating back to the 3rd-4th century CE, containing relic caskets associated with Lord Buddha, inscriptions, and artefacts linked to early Buddhist worship.On Sunday, Mein visited the historic Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist institutions. He paid homage to the relics alongside governor Patel and described the temple’s rich legacy, nurtured since the late 19th century under Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, as a testament to the enduring strength of Buddhist heritage.“This sacred and historic moment reflects our shared spiritual and civilisational heritage and reaffirms the timeless message of Lord Buddha that continues to guide humanity on the path of peace and compassion,” Mein said.
