'Will Strengthen Relations': Relics Of Lord Buddha, 2 Disciples Arrive In Thailand's National Museum
The holy relics preserved in India will be displayed in Thailand as part of a 26-day exposition starting February 22, officials said on Tuesday.
The revered relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his esteemed disciples, Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, arrived in Thailand's National Museum on Thursday.
The holy relics preserved in India will be displayed in Thailand as part of a 26-day exposition starting February 22, officials said on Tuesday. According to the Union Culture Ministry, this is the first time that the holy relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples will be showcased together.
"On February 23, they will be enshrined in the royal palace grounds called Sanam Luang by the PM of Thailand. People can pay their reverence from Makha Bucha Day onwards. This sacred journey will culminate on 19th March 2024," a report in ANI said.
The ministry said that the holy relics of Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana have been brought to Delhi from Sanchi in preparation for their journey to Thailand, further enriching this sacred expedition. A group of monks received the revered relics of Lord Buddha from the National Museum in the National Capital, as reported by news agency ANI.
Speaking on the occasion, Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar said that today the revered relics of Lord Buddha are being taken to Thailand, which will strengthen the relations between the two countries. "I feel proud to take carry the message of Lord Buddha to Thailand... Lord Buddha dedicated his life to humanity. Today the revered relics of Lord Buddha are being taken to Thailand. This will strengthen India-Thailand relations," Rajendra Arlekar said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar says, "...I feel proud to take carry the message of Lord Buddha to Thailand...Lord Buddha dedicated his life to humanity...Today the revered relics of Lord Buddha are being taken to Thailand...This will strengthen the India-Thailand… pic.twitter.com/CzBkT974VL
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
These relics, revered by Buddhist followers around the world, will be ferried in a special Indian Air Force plane on February 22. The relics will reach Thailand in the forenoon of the same day as a 'State Guest', news agency PTI reported, citing officials.
Ambassador of Thailand to India, Pattarat Hongtong said that she is grateful to the government of India to allow the expositions of the holy relics of Lord Buddha and also Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana to Thailand at the same time.
"I'm so grateful to the government of India to allow the expositions of the holy relics of Lord Buddha and also Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana to Thailand at the same time. I feel that this is a really special and very auspicious occasion for me as well as the members of the Thai embassy in Delhi that we could be part of today's event. For the Thai people in Thailand as well, this is really special, that they would be able to pay homage to the relics of Buddha and also Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana at the same time in our country," Hongtong said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Ambassador of Thailand to India, Pattarat Hongtong says, "I'm so grateful to the government of India to allow the expositions of the holy relics of Lord Buddha and also Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana to Thailand at the same time. I feel that this is a… pic.twitter.com/sLQqt9zL5s
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
Union Minister Virendra Kumar said that the people in Thailand are extremely excited. He further said that this 26-day yatra will go through different places including Bangkok.
"The relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his disciples, Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, are about to start on their sacred journey to Thailand. This will strengthen the relationship between the two countries (India and Thailand)...The people are extremely excited there (Thailand)...This 26-day yatra will go through different places including Bangkok," Virendra Kumar said, as quoted by ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Virendra Kumar says, "...The relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his disciples, Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, are about to start on their sacred journey to Thailand. This will strengthen the relationship between the two… pic.twitter.com/Wt0XP8ScQ5
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024
Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan told a press conference that four of the 20 pieces of holy relics of Lord Buddha kept at the National Museum in Delhi will be displayed in Thailand. He said given the ancient ties of India with Thailand, this occasion would also be a "diplomatic achievement" for New Delhi with that Asian country.
A 22-member Indian delegation, led by Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, will accompany the relics to Thailand, the ministry said.
According to PTI, these relics are dated 4th–5th century BC and were found in an excavation at Piprahwa, considered a part of the site of ancient Kapilavastu, by a team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials in the 1970s.
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