Thailand receives Buddha relics from India, international devotees attend

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin personally received numerous sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples that India had sent to Thailand. This move is thought to be a part of New Delhi's attempts to counter Beijing's attempts to use Buddhism as a soft power tool in Southeast Asia.

The relics of Lord Buddha and his two followers, Arahant Maha Moggallana and Arahant Sariputta, were brought to Bangkok by an Indian delegation last month. They will be on exhibit for 25 days in four Thai cities.

Journey of relics 

Chiang Mai received the relics on Monday, following their exhibition at Bangkok's Sanam Luang royal palace grounds. After arriving in Bangkok via special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, the relics were greeted with a guard of honor and then accepted by Thavisin together with members of his ministerial council. They were then displayed for eleven days in a red-and-gold pagoda. 

The Holy Relics will be led back to their homes in Thailand on March 19, as planned, capping an illuminating and spiritually enlightening exhibition in Thailand.

Watch: Ceremony of relics being placed: 

Approx. 4000 devotees gathered:

International devotees

Devotees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are traveling to Bangkok to pay their respects in addition to Thai nationals. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed that he was touched to see the Buddhist holy relics being revered by a million Indian Thai devotees. He conveyed his profound gratitude regarding this on Sunday.