Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati will lead a delegation to transport the sacred relics of the Buddha from Vietnam to India on June 2, official sources said on Thursday.
According to Raj Bhavan sources, Kambhampati is scheduled to travel to Vietnam from New Delhi on Friday to attend the event.
“It is a great honour to escort the sacred relics of the Buddha back to India,” Kambhampati said before the delegation set off to bring back the relics from Vietnam. “This spiritual journey reflects the civilizational heritage we share with Vietnam.”
He said India greatly cherishes its rich cultural and spiritual ties with Vietnam and hopes that the return of the relics and the events held during the visit will continue to strengthen the enduring friendship between the two countries.
The relics, which have deep spiritual significance for Buddhists around the world, were brought from India to Vietnam to be exhibited during the grand celebrations of the United Nations’ Vesak Day, which is celebrated on the full moon day of May every year to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of the Buddha.
The relics were exhibited in Vietnam during the Vesak Day from May 6 to 8. According to them, they are currently on display in various places in Vietnam.
The relics were provided by the Indian Maha Bodhi Society and the National Museum of the Ministry of Culture of the Indian Government with the support of the International Buddhist Federation.
The relics were airlifted to Vietnam by a special Indian Air Force plane from Sarnath, the holy place where the Buddha first preached. They were accompanied by Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs of India, Kandula Durgesh, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Andhra Pradesh, distinguished monks and senior Indian officials.
In addition, the Indian Cultural and Art Troupe also went to Vietnam to perform a dance drama “The Journey of Buddha”, showing the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. The performance was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh Province, Hanoi and other places from May 5 to 13.
It is said that the expo will close on June 2, after which the holy relics will be transported back to India from Da Nang, Vietnam, by a special Indian Air Force plane.
