In his speech, the Prime Minister stated, "The heritage of India has returned to the country after a wait of 125 years. From today, Indians will be able to have darshan and seek blessings of these pure relics of Lord Buddha."

He noted, "The beginning of 2026 itself is filled with this joyous festival. And it is also my fortune that my first public event of 2026 is starting at the feet of Lord Buddha." He added, "I pray that with the blessings of Lord Buddha, 2026 brings peace and prosperity across the world."

The Prime Minister said the venue, Qila Rai Pithora, is a testament to India's history. He stated, "Almost a thousand years ago, rulers of that era established a fortified city within the walls of this historic fort. Today, in the same historic precinct, we are connecting with a spiritual chapter of our history."



He said he examined the exhibition and that the journey of the relics carries a lesson. "Slavery is not only political and economic; it also erodes our heritage," he said. The relics were taken during colonial rule and remained abroad for nearly 125 years.

He drew a stark contrast between how the relics were perceived abroad and their sacred status in India. “For those who took them, they were mere lifeless antiques, and so they tried to auction these sacred relics in the international market,” PM Modi stated. “But for India, these sacred relics are a part of our soul, an integral aspect of our civilisation. Therefore, India resolved that we would not allow their public auction.”

The Prime Minister specifically thanked the Godrej Group for their crucial role in facilitating the return, ensuring the relics came back to “his birthplace, his land of contemplation, his land of great enlightenment, and his land of Mahaparinirvana.”



He concluded by saying, "The wisdom of Lord Buddha and the path shown by him are not confined to any era but are for all humanity and timeless."


The Exposition

Open to the public for the next six months, the exhibition features immersive thematic sections such as “Piprahwa Revisited” and “Vignettes of the Life of Buddha,” supported by advanced audio-visual presentations. It stands not merely as a museum display, but as a powerful national testament—a reconnection with a spiritual lineage interrupted by history, now joyously restored.