Sunday 28 / April / 2024
Bangkok: Thailand's culture ministry announced that over 4 million devotees paid homage to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his two disciples Sariputra and Maudgalyayana.
The relics, on display for 25 days at various locations across Thailand, returned to India on March 19.
The sacred relics, known as the Kapilavastu relics, are housed in India’s national museum. They are believed to be the remains of Lord Buddha and two of his disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalayana. These significant relics date back to around the 4th-5th century BC. They were unearthed in Piprahwa near Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh, a site thought to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu – by the Archaeological Survey of India in the 1970s. These sacred relics have even travelled abroad for exhibitions, having been displayed in Mongolia and Sri Lanka in the past.
To commemorate the auspicious sixth cycle and the 72nd birth year of King Rama X and as a mark of friendship between the people of the two countries , the sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana reached Thailand from India on February 22 on a special Indian Air Force plane.
Apart from people of Thailand, the devotees from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam visited Bangkok to their respect.
On February 26, on the 72nd birthday of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen prayed before the relics of the Lord Buddha and his disciples Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana at Sanam Luang Ceremony in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district on Monday.
The day marked the Thailand King's 6th Cycle Birthday anniversary.
The relics of the Arahants Sariputra and Maha Maudgalayana were handed over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Thai Culture Minister.
In a statement, Thailand's royal office stated, "By bringing the relics of the Lord Buddha enshrined at the National Museum, New Delhi, which were excavated at Piprahva, Uttar Pradesh State in 1896 and the Arahant relics of Sariputra and Moggallana from the Sanchi Buddha Vihara."
"Religious objects that are important to Indian and Thai Buddhists It is also an important historical relic of the Republic of India," it added.
In a statement, Thailand Royal Office stated, "Temporarily enshrined at the Sanam Luang ceremony area, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. Between 23 February - 3 March 2024 to honor His Majesty the King and bring prosperity to the nation as well as creating good relations between the two countries, it was brought to be enshrined in the region at the Ratchaphruek Park Hor Kham Luang."
"It was kept at Chiang Mai Province between 4 - 8 March 2024, Mahawanaram Temple, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Between 9 - 13 March 2024 and Wat Mahathat Wachiramongkol Krabi Province Between 14 - 18 March 2024 to provide an opportunity for people in various areas to join in paying homage," it added.
Concluding a historic and spiritually enriching exposition in Thailand, this sacred journey culminated on March 19, with the relics being escorted back to their respective homes.
