Sacred Kapilavastu Relics return to India

Sacred Kapilavastu Relics brought to Sri Lanka by Indian Minister of Culture Kumari Selja on August 19, will be taken back to India today afternoon after the successful conclusion of the Exposition at ten venues.

The Kapilavastu Relics had arrived in a special aircraft of the India government and will leave for India in a special aircraft organized by the Sri Lankan government.

All the four Mahanayakas, Members of the Mahasangha, Minister of Culture and Arts and a number of senior officials would be accompanying the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics on their return journey to India.

In a ceremony at the Colombo International Airport, hundreds of Buddhist monks will chant pirith before the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics leave Sri Lanka for India.

The Exposition of Sacred Relics, sent to Sri Lanka after 34 years, was originally planned at seven venues and scheduled to conclude on September 5. This was extended by one week at the special request by the government and three additional venues were added.

During the 25 days of exposition at ten venues, approximately three million Sri Lankans (nearly 15 percent of the total population of Sri Lanka) paid homage to the Sacred Relics. The exposition was organized at: Kapilawasthu Hall, Manel Watta Maha Viharaya, Kelaniya, Rajamaha Viharaya, Pelmadulla, Jayanthi Viharaya, Anuradhapura, Agrabodhi Viharaya, Kantale, Naranvita Temple, Gampola, Sri Sumangala Pirivena, Wariyapola, Matara Bodhiya, Matara, Tissamaharama Viharaya, Tissamaharama, Gangaramaya Viharaya and Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya.

The President along with Opposition Leader and Indian High Commissioner had received the Relics at Gangaramaya Temple on their arrival from Tissamaharamaya.