Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein arrived in Colombo on Monday as part of an official Indian delegation to facilitate the return of the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha from Sri Lanka.
Describing the occasion as one of immense spiritual and national significance, Mein said the event transcends national boundaries and holds deep civilisational importance for followers of Buddhism worldwide. He expressed his privilege in being part of the delegation tasked with bringing back the revered relics.
The Devnimori relics, excavated in the 1960s from an ancient stupa at Devnimori in Gujarat’s Aravalli region, are among India’s most venerated Buddhist antiquities. Dating back to the 3rd–4th century CE, the stupa contained caskets with sacred remains associated with Lord Buddha, along with inscriptions and artefacts linked to early Buddhist worship.
Officials said the relics symbolize devotion, the continuity of faith, and the historical spread of Buddhism across regions. Their return carries not only profound spiritual and cultural value but also diplomatic significance, strengthening ties between Buddhist communities and nations connected through shared heritage.