Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India after 127 years, describing it as a proud and joyous moment for the nation’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said: “A joyous day for our cultural heritage! It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years. These sacred relics highlight India’s close association with Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings. It also illustrates our commitment to preserving and protecting different aspects of our glorious culture. #VikasBhiVirasatBhi”
The Prime Minister added that the relics, which were originally discovered in 1898, had been taken abroad during the colonial era. When they resurfaced at an international auction earlier this year, the government intervened to facilitate their return.
“I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort,” he said.
Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also celebrated the repatriation, stating: “The return of the Piprahwa Gems is a matter of great pride for every Indian. This is one of the most significant instances of repatriation of our lost heritage and would not have been possible without the vision and initiative of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”
The sacred relics, believed to include bone fragments of the Buddha, were scheduled to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on May 7, 2025. However, a timely and coordinated intervention by the Government of India led to their successful retrieval.
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture announced that the repatriation had been made possible through “an exemplary public-private partnership” between the Government of India and the Godrej Industries Group.
“Originally slated for auction in Hong Kong in May 2025, the sacred artefacts were successfully secured by the Ministry of Culture through decisive intervention, reflecting the Government’s unwavering commitment to preserving India’s cultural and spiritual heritage,” the ministry said.
The relics will soon be formally unveiled during a special ceremony and placed on public display.
The relics were originally excavated in 1898 from the Piprahwa Stupa in present-day Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The site is widely believed to be part of ancient Kapilavastu, the homeland of Lord Buddha.
The archaeological find included bone fragments, crystal reliquaries, gold ornaments, and other ritual offerings. A Brahmi inscription on one of the caskets linked the remains directly to Lord Buddha, attributing the deposit to the Sakya clan—Buddha’s own kinsmen.
While most of the relics were entrusted to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899, a portion was retained by the family of British colonial officer William Claxton Peppe, who led the original excavation. These relics remained in private hands for over a century before resurfacing at a Sotheby’s auction in May.
Following the announcement of the relics’ return, Sotheby’s issued a statement acknowledging the collaborative effort.
“Today is the culmination of our close collaboration with the Peppé family, the Government of India and the newly-announced owners of the Gems – the Godrej Industries Group. Now concluded, this sale will see the permanent return of the Piprahwa Gems to India where they will be on public display for years to come,” the statement said
“We are grateful to the Peppé family for having safeguarded the gems and for having worked with us – and with the Government of India – in good faith to achieve this historic outcome,” it added.