Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju during the ceremonial enshrinement of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha at Vietnam Buddhist University.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

VIJAYAWADA

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh, along with the Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, revered monks and senior officials from India, took part in the ceremonial enshrinement of Lord Buddha’s relics at Vietnam Buddhist University, on Friday.

The team accompanied the sacred relics which were transported to Vietnam by a special aircraft.

In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Durgesh said it was a great honour to be part of this sacred mission. He said the celebration was aimed at strengthening the spiritual harmony and deep cultural ties between India and Vietnam.

At the Indian Air Force Station in New Delhi on Thursday night, a farewell was given to the holy relics, which were secured from various parts of India. Amid tight security, the relics were placed in a sacred casket and boarded onto a special Indian Air Force Hercules aircraft.

The holy relics from India were ceremoniously enshrined in the Buddha Hall of the Vietnam Buddhist University on Friday morning. The exhibition of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics, taking place from May 1 to May 6 in Vietnam, stands as a lasting testament to Indian civilization and its heritage of peace and tolerance, said the statement, adding that the relics will be displayed for public veneration as part of a Buddhist religious programme in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.