SL religious and political leaders hail arrival of holy relics from Pak​istan’s​ Gandhara region

Venerable Thiniyawala Palitha Thero, Chief Incumbent Nalandramaya, Nugegoda holds sacred relics

Sri Lankan ministers receive holy relics

Religious and political leaders perform rituals at the arrival of the holy relics of Lord Buddha

Religious leaders worshipping the holy relics of Lord Buddha from Pakistan

Sri Lankan ministers and Secretary to Prime Minister and Secretary culture with the Acting High Commissioner and officers of High Commission

Sri Lankan religious and political leaders welcomed the holy relics of Lord Buddha from Pakistan’s Gandhara region in an impressive ceremony at Bandaranayake International Airport at Katunayake.  

Sri Lankan Minister for Public Administration and Management Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Minister for Sustainable Development and Wildlife Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, senior monks, high ranking government officials, religious scholars, as well as the Deputy High Commissioner and officers of the High Commission of Pakistan received the holy relics amidst hordes of devotees. National History and Literary Heritage Secretary S. Mohsin Haqqani, Joint Secretary NH&LH and the curator of Taxila museum were also present on the occasion.

The most sacred relics include two holy bone relics of Lord Buddha, a golden casket which contains the holy relics and a stone reliquary in stupa shape. The holy relics are part of a collection from Taxila Museum of Pakistan, which is located at one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia.

The religious leaders performed a special pooja on arrival of the most sacred relics which will be in the island for exposition around the country. 

While speaking at the occasion, the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra informed the gathering that the Government of Pakistan is holding Vesak Festival for the first time in the history of Pakistan at Taxila Valley, which was the historic capital of the ancient Gandhara region Pakistan. He said that only Sri Lankan senior monks, religious scholars, pilgrims and media personalities are invited by the government of Pakistan for the celebrations.

While recalling the successful visit of 40 Sri Lankan monks who recently visited Pakistan to witness the rich Buddhist heritage of Pakistan, Dr. Sipra said that such exchanges will further strengthen the already existing deep rooted cultural relations between the two friendly nations.

The advent and development of Buddhism owes a great deal to the ancient land of Pakistan. It was here that the religious activities reached its climax through well-organised missionaries and ultimately made it a world religion.

The land of Gandhara where the celebrated faith evolved is more or less a triangle about 100 kilometres across east to west and 70 kilometres from north to south, on the west of the Indus River in Pakistan. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains and covers the vast areas of today’s Peshawar valley, the hilly tracts of Swat (Udyana), Buner and the Taxila valley.

The name ‘Gandhara’ is found for the first time in the Rig-Veda, the sacred ancient hymns of the Hindus. The name also appears in some Persian inscriptions, particularly in the Behistun inscription (528-486 BC) and in the inscription discovered from the ruins of the Susa Palace in Persia (an archaeological site belonging to 6th century B.C).

Featuring civilisations dating back to 9000 BC, Pakistan’s ancient history is richly illustrated by archaeological sites and imposing monuments punctuated all over its length and breadth. 

The Ghandara trail, having its capital and cultural hub at the present day Taxilla, was part of the silk route and many Buddhist pilgrims from different countries used to visit these sites on this historical route.

The exposition of the most sacred relics in Sri Lanka will commence at the Temple Trees on the auspicious day of Vesak on 21 May and will be exhibited at famous temples around the island until Full Moon Poson Poya Day.