Holy relics of Lord Buddha taken out in procession in Gaya

From ANI

Gaya, Feb 2: The holy relics of Lord Buddha were taken out in a procession in Gaya on Sunday for public view.

Thousands including monks, Buddhists, locals and tourists took part in the procession that took the remains of Lord Buddha, and his two disciples, Sariputra and Mahabhoglyan through the thoroughfares of the city.

The annual procession was taken out to mark the second anniversary of the consecration of the Buddha relics by the Tibetan Spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama to a newly built Jaya Sri Mahabodhi Vihara temple in Gaya.

The relics were brought from Sri Lanka to be sanctified in India.

"Once in a year, we take out this procession and the holy relics of Lord Buddha are kept open for public viewing. This is the second year," said P. Shewali Thero, in charge, Mahabodhi Society of India.

The relics authenticated by archaeologists would be kept for public viewing for three days.

Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born a prince in Lumbini. He is believed to have attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.


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