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Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ancient Piprahwa gems linked to Lord Buddha return to India after 127 years
The Piprahwa Gems, of Lord Buddha, made its way back to India on Wednesday, after 127 years following an auction that was planned for earlier this year. India's Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat prays after he received repatriated sacred Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha.(via REUTERS) The return of the gems, comprising hundreds of jewels linked to Buddha's remains, was hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A joyous day for our cultural heritage!" PM Modi wrote as he took to X to express his joy. 'It would make every Indian proud,' the Prime minister added on his official X handle. What is all about the ensemble? The precious collection of more than 300 gems date back to the ancient Mauryan Empire, nearly about 240-200 BCE. The gems were excavated in 1898, from an age old stupa in Piprahwa, which is located in present day Uttar Pradesh. The excavation was carried out by an English estate manager named William Claxton Peppe. Fragments of bones, which are believed to be of Lord Buddha were also unearthed alongside the jewels. Peppe was later allowed to keep more than 300 duplicate gems, which remained in his family, according to a Reuters report. The journey of the Piprahwa jewels The Piprahwa jewel collection was earlier scheduled to be auctioned in May 2025 by Sotheby's, a realty firm, in Hong Kong. The auction sale was postponed shortly after the Indian government threatened legal action and demanded the jewels be returned. Following the legal threat, Sotheby's subsequently identified Indian conglomerate Godrej Industries Group as buyer. It secured a sale that saw the permanent return of the Piprahwa gems to India, where they would be placed on public display. "Sotheby's is delighted to have facilitated the return of the Piprahwa Gems to India," the auction house said in a statement late on Wednesday. A Reuters report quoted India's Ministry of Culture as saying that it was an exemplary public-private partnership and the initiative aligned with Modi's broader mission to reclaim and celebrate India's ancient cultural and spiritual heritage from across the world.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha return to India after 127 years
NEW DELHI: The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have returned to India after 127 years. The holy remains were discovered from Piprahwa village in Uttar Pradesh in 1898. The repatriation of the rare remnants was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. He said that it was 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,' he posted on 'X'. The relics were allegedly placed in an auction scheduled in Hong Kong in May. However, the Ministry of Culture took strong diplomatic and legal measures to stop the sale. It also issued a legal notice to Sotheby's—a leading multinational auction house—demanding the immediate withdrawal of the auction. 'It may be recalled that the Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 but were taken away from India during the colonial period. When they appeared in an international auction earlier this year, we worked to ensure they returned home. I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort,' Modi also said. The Piprahwa relics, discovered by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, are believed to be associated with the mortal remains of Lord Buddha. Enshrined by his followers around the 3rd century BCE, these relics have long held immense spiritual value for the global Buddhist community and represent one of the most important archaeological discoveries in India's history. The majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899. However, a portion of the relics retained by the Peppé family was taken out of the country and was listed for auction.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
What Are Piprahwa Relics, Scared Remains Buddha That UK Finally Returned To India?
The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, excavated 127 years ago, have returned to India from the UK, and are now enshrined in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi A deeply symbolic chapter of India's cultural revival unfolded this week as the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha were brought back from the UK, 127 years after they were first excavated and taken abroad. Once at risk of being sold to the highest bidder, the priceless artefacts are now enshrined in the Piprahwa Buddha Temple in Uttar Pradesh and safeguarded in the National Museum in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharing the moment on social media, posted a photo of the relics with the message, '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." The relics, believed to include bone fragments of Lord Buddha himself, had narrowly escaped an international auction just weeks ago. According to officials, the remains were set to be sold by Sotheby's through Chris Pepe, a descendant of British engineer William Pepe who led the original excavation in 1898. That excavation, conducted in Piprahwa, unearthed a massive stone casket from an ancient stupa believed to have been built by the Shakya clan, the family of Siddhartha Gautama, after the Buddha's cremation. Inside the casket were sacred bone relics, crystal and soapstone urns, and thousands of precious stones: over 1,800 pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, and thin golden sheets. While most of the treasures were sent to the Indian Museum in Kolkata under the Indian Treasure Trove Act of 1878, some remained in William Pepe's private collection with the British government's permission. These heirlooms remained in the family for over a century until Chris Pepe prepared to auction them in 2024. The Centre, upon learning of the planned sale, acted swiftly. On May 5, the Ministry of Culture issued a legal notice, calling the auction a violation of Indian laws and international agreements, including those under the United Nations. The notice stated that 'these relics are an invaluable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. Trading them is illegal and immoral". Widespread criticism from Buddhist organisations followed, and international pressure mounted. Sotheby's, the auction house, eventually backed out, stating that their intention had been preservation, not sale. Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Shekhawat was present in Piprahwa for the reinstallation of the relics. The return was coordinated diplomatically and quietly, with the gems, valued at more than Rs 100 crore, now divided between the National Museum in Delhi and the Buddha temple at the original excavation site. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Monks from 15 nations to join Vaishali stupa launch
Patna: The Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa, constructed at the historic site of Vaishali, has been completed and is set to be inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar on Tuesday. Buddhist monks from 15 countries, including China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, Myanmar, Malaysia, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, Laos, Bangladesh and Indonesia, are expected to gather in Vaishali for the occasion. "The historic monument will become a centre of devotion and attraction for Buddhist followers worldwide," a state govt official said on Monday. Announcing the inauguration, Nitish posted on his official X handle, "It is a pleasure to inform that Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa, Vaishali is going to be inaugurated on July 29. Buddhist monks and followers from 15 countries across the world are coming to Bihar for the inaugural ceremony. It is a matter of pride for all the people of Bihar." He added, "This stupa is a grand symbol of Bihar's cultural heritage and global Buddhist legacy. The Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa will not only establish Vaishali prominently on the global Buddhist map but will also provide a new direction to tourism, culture and employment." Built near the Pushkarni pond and the ancient mud stupa, the monument covers an area of 72 acres and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 550 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pennsylvania Launches New Policy for Cars Used Less Than 50 Miles/day Bindright Undo The central attraction is a relic casket of Lord Buddha, which is enshrined on the first floor of the memorial. The relic was unearthed during excavations conducted between 1958 and 1962. This is arguably the first time in India's history that a stupa has been constructed entirely of stone, without using cement, bricks, or concrete. Located in Vaishali district, the stupa stands at a height of 33.10 metres with an internal diameter of 37.80 metres and an outer diameter of 49.80 metres, making it nearly twice the height of the world-famous Sanchi Stupa. The structure comprises 42,373 sandstone blocks sourced from Banshi Paharpur in Rajasthan, meticulously fitted using the tongue-and-groove technique without any cement or adhesive. Built with modern earthquake-resistant technology, the stupa is designed to endure for thousands of years. Surrounding the stupa are lily ponds, landscaped gardens and intricate sculptures. A grand entrance archway modelled on the Sanchi gateway showcases the zenith of Buddhist architecture. Thirty-two skylights have been incorporated to allow a constant flow of light and air within the structure. The complex also features a meditation centre, visitor centre, museum block, library, amphitheatre, cafeteria, a 500-kilowatt solar power plant, ample parking and other visitor facilities. A statue of Lord Buddha, crafted by artisans from Odisha, is expected to become a special identity of the site, the official added.
India.com
24-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Two Asian countries indulge in Fierce War, attacks Hospitals, markets, not China, Taiwan, Myanmar, names are….
Home News Two Asian countries indulge in Fierce War, attacks Hospitals, markets, not China, Taiwan, Myanmar, names are…. Two Asian countries indulge in Fierce War, attacks Hospitals, markets, not China, Taiwan, Myanmar, names are…. However, we cannot independently verify these claims. In a social media post, the Thai military wrote, 'All Thai F-16s returned safely after bombing Cambodian battalions.' New Delhi: More than 10 people, including several civilians, have been reported killed in clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops in a disputed area of their countries' shared border. According to Thailand's military, Cambodian troops opened fire first with heavy weapons, while Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence said its troops acted in self-defence after coming under attack. Its distressing to witness that Both the asian countries that revere Lord Buddha and follow Buddhism have strayed from the path of 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' (Non-violence is the highest duty) and entered the battlefield. According to reports, fierce gunfire is taking place between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. Meanwhile, Thailand's F-16 fighter jets have launched heavy bombing attacks on Cambodian military bases. Thailand claims its F-16 jets returned safely after striking Cambodian military targets. Thailand stated that the F-16s were deployed in response to rocket attacks launched from the Cambodian side. It further said that six F-16 jets were used in the operation targeting military sites inside Cambodia. However, we cannot independently verify these claims. In a social media post, the Thai military wrote, 'All Thai F-16s returned safely after bombing Cambodian battalions.' On the other hand, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense has accused Thailand of using excessive force, calling Thailand 'a serious threat to regional peace and stability.' According to a report by The Guardian, Thailand also launched intense attacks on Cambodia's cultural sites — Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear. Brutal and illegal military aggression: Cambodia The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia accused Thailand of 'brutal and illegal military aggression,' claiming Thai jets dropped bombs on Cambodian territory and used heavy weaponry. A spokesperson said these actions 'violated international law' and ASEAN norms, while adding that Cambodia's forces were prepared to defend its sovereignty 'at all costs'. Cambodia Targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital: Thailand According to a Thai army's Facebook post, Cambodian artillery targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province. While details remain limited, the alleged strike on a medical facility escalated fears of civilian targeting, leading Thailand to issue evacuation warnings and bolster border defences in affected areas. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest News News on
