Exposition of sacred Devnimori relics begins at Gangaramaya

The exposition of the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha is scheduled to begin at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo, today (05).

The exposition will be held at the Gangaramaya Temple for seven days, starting from today to February 11.

The Sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha, discovered during excavations in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, India have never previously been taken outside India.

The excavation was conducted around a stupa within a Buddhist monastic complex.

Two relic caskets were unearthed at the site and the Sacred Relics of the Lord Buddha were found within one of them. An inscription discovered inside the reliquary, which reads “the place where the relics of the Buddha endowed with the Ten Powers are enshrined,” stands as the strongest evidence affirming the sanctity of these Sacred Relics.

Following discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, an agreement was reached to transport the sacred relics to Sri Lanka.

The Indian aircraft carrying the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at around 1:00 p.m. yesterday.

Following religious observances conducted after placing the Relics on a special platform, they were transported in a special motorcade to the Gangaramaya Temple.

Subsequently, amidst blessings from the Maha Sangha, the Sacred Relics were placed on a special platform at the temple and opened for public veneration.

Marking the commencement of the veneration of the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha, the first floral offering was made last afternoon (04) by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Accordingly, from this morning the general public will be able to venerate the sacred relics in person at the historic Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, 24 hours a day.

All necessary facilities have been arranged for devotees.

During the period of veneration, special security arrangements and traffic management plans will be in place at Gangaramaya Temple and its surroundings, according to Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler.

Accordingly, police have urged the public to adhere to a set of guidelines to ensure a smooth, safe, and peaceful worship experience for all devotees.

As the exposition will remain open 24 hours, devotees are requested to fully cooperate with security measures implemented by Sri Lanka Police. With a large number of local and foreign devotees expected, the public has also been advised to remain vigilant against theft and safeguard wallets, jewellery, and other personal belongings.

The use of mobile phones within the Sacred Chamber is strictly prohibited. Devotees are also advised not to bring helmets, jackets, large bags, or other unnecessary personal items into the temple premises.

Meanwhile, vehicles should be parked only in designated parking areas, police noted. Motorists are requested to comply with traffic regulations, drive responsibly, and seek assistance from police officers when required.

According to police, several roads will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during the exposition period.

Special parking arrangements have been made, including free and paid parking facilities.

The related road closures, parking areas and shuttle services for motorists passing by the area during this period are as follows:

Road Closures 

• Jinarathana Mawatha from James Peiris Mawatha Junction towards the temple 
• Jinarathana Mawatha from Hunupitiya Wewa Road Junction towards the temple 
• Jinarathana Mawatha from Lake Crescent (Hunupitiya Road) Junction towards the temple 
• Park Street from Jinarathana Mawatha Junction towards the temple
 • Staple Street from Muttiah Road Junction 
• James Peiris Mawatha from Muttiah Road Junction

Special Shuttle Service 

• Old MOD Grounds Parking Area (MOD Park) 
• Port City Parking Area 
• Parking Area near Shangri-La Hotel

Restricted Parking Areas 

• Navam Mawatha 
• Perahera Mawatha
• Ramanayake Mawatha 
• James Peiris Mawatha 
• Jinarathana Mawatha 
• Muttiah Road 
• Altair Avenue 
• Staple Street 
• Dawson Street 
• Union Place 
• Hyde Park Corner 
• Baybrook Place 
• Park Street
• Lake Crescent 
• Hunupitiya Wewa Road 
• Dharmapala Mawatha

Free Parking Areas 

• Port City Parking Area 
• Parking Area near Shangri-La Hotel 
• Parking Area at Old MOD Grounds 
• F. R. Senanayake Mawatha Parking Area 
• Dhanapala Mawatha, Viharamahadevi Park Area 
• Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path) Parking Area 
• School Road Parking 
• Vauxhall Street Parking 
• Vacant land of the Old Sathosa premises near Colombo City Centre 

Paid Parking Facilities 

• Private parking near Gamini Roundabout 
• Parking area opposite Lake House 
• Parking at Access Tower Building 
• Parking at Old Manning Market Grounds 
• Chamas Parking

Meanwhile, a special shuttle bus service has been arranged for devotees visiting the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, for the exposition of the sacred bodily relics.

To facilitate public access to the Gangaramaya Temple, special shuttle bus services have been arranged from the following locations:

Parking area at the Old MOD Grounds (MOD Park)
Parking area near the Lake House roundabout

Members of the public arriving from the Kompannavidiya Railway Station can reach the parking area near the Lake House roundabout on foot.

Those coming from the Colombo Fort Railway Station can also reach the Lake House roundabout parking area on foot via D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha.

The Police Media Division has informed the general public that the bus service will operate around the clock using both state and private buses at a nominal fare.

Meanwhile, for the convenience of devotees visiting the temple for the exposition, the Railway Department has arranged for special train services starting today.

These special trains will operate until February 10, running from Avissawella, Rambukkana, and Aluthgama to Colombo Fort.