Colombo, May 3:(newsin.asia): The sacred relics of Lord Buddha from Sarnath in India, which were exhibited in Sri Lanka from April 29 onward during the week-long Buddha Rashmi Vesak celebrations, have been returned to India.
The Sri Lankan Minister for Buddha Sasana Gamini Jayawickrama Perera and the Deputy High Commissioner of India Arindam Bagchi were at the airport to see off the relics.
In Colombo the relics were kept for public viewing at the official residence of the Prime Minister, the “Temple Trees”. Thousands of devotees worshiped the relics during the exposition.
This was the first time that relics from Sarnath had been exhibited in Sri Lanka. Earlier in August 2012, relics from Kapilavastu were brought to the island.
During the Vesak week, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Arindam Bagchi, inaugurated a pavilion in an exhibition at the Gangaramaya temple which showcased India’s Buddhist heritage.