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Thailand: Millions throng to pay homage to Holy Relics of Buddha and two of His Chief Disciples
The Buddhist Channel, 4 March 2024
Sanam Luang, Thailand -- The "Ganga-Mekong Holy Relics Dhammayatra" (pilgrimage) from India to Thailand were put on display for public view in Thailand for the first time in 30 years.
The four bone fragments of Lord Buddha - also known as the Kapilvastu Relics - were discovered at a site in Bihar in 1898. Bihar is believed to be the ancient city of Kapilvastu. These relics which were kept at the National Museum of New Delhi was taken to Thailand on Thursday, 22 February 2024.
Almost 30 years have passed since the relics were first brought to Thailand in 1995. They will be displayed in four cities including Bangkok and Krabi, where people will pay their obeisance to the sacred remnants.
The last time the relics were taken out of India was in May 2023, when they were exhibited at an exposition in Mongolia. This year, for the first time, the relics of two chief disciples of the Buddha - Sariputta and Maha Moggallana from Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh - were also ferried along with the cremated remains of Buddha.
Before the exposition, the relics were kept at the National Museum in Bangkok for the purpose of quarantine. The venues selected for public homage were finalised in consultation with officials of the Government of Thailand and the Indian embassy here.
Only four relics from the National Museum are allowed to be sent abroad for exhibition. They were previously taken to Sri Lanka in 1976 and 2012, Mongolia in 1993 and 2022, Singapore in 1994 and 2007, South Korea in 1995 and Thailand in 1995.
The relics were flown in from India to Thailand in a special Indian Air Force aircraft. A delegation of about 20 officials of the culture ministry, other agencies and Buddhist monks traveled with the rare antiquities. The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of Social and Empowerment Virendra Kumar and Governor of Bihar Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Members of the public in Thailand paid homage to the Holy Relics from Saturday, 24 February until 3 March. The event was a huge success, drawing big crowds during the procession as well as at its display location in the Sanam Luang pagoda.
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