News
Exposition of Buddha’s Sacred Relics from Gujarat at Gangaramaya Temple
View(s):By Damith Wickramasekera
An exposition of the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, discovered in 1960 in the Aravali region of Gujarat, will be held at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo for seven days, from February 4 to 11. 
This is in keeping with the pledge made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in April last year when he announced that the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha would be sent to Sri Lanka for an exposition.
Arrangements have already begun for the exposition with a forward team from India arriving in Colombo to handle the preparation for the exposition. A committee comprising India’s High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijith Herath has been set up to ensure that the exposition is conducted smoothly.
The exposition will begin on the evening of Independence Day on February 4 with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake leading devotees in worship of the Sacred Relics.
Special security measures transport arrangements will be in place for the exposition.
The Devnimori archaeological site, where the corporal relics of Lord Buddha were discovered is situated at in the Aravalli District of Gujarat.
Excavations which began in 1960 unearthed two caskets, both placed within earthen pots, carefully set in a pit of brick or earth
One casket was found within the mound at a height of 24 feet from the base, made out of green schist. This casket is inscribed and holds a copper box, gold and silver foil along with other materials. The inscription on the casket is in Brahmi script and Sanskrit language and read, ‘dashabala sharira nilay,’ (the abode of the Body Relic of Lord Buddha).
The revered Relics are now preserved at the Museum of the M.S. University of Baroda.
The annual Navam Maha Perahera meanwhile, will take place on January 31 and February 1 from 7.30 p.m. to 10 pm. Among the attractions on display are floats depicting important historical events such as the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, the arrival of the Sri Maha Bodhi and the Sacred Tooth Relic. Around 8,000 dancers will be participating in the perahera.
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