Over 300 ancient Buddha relics, repatriated from abroad, were unveiled in New Delhi for the first time since 1898.

Over 300 ancient gems believed to be linked to the Buddha, known as the Piprahwa relics, were unveiled in New Delhi for the first time since 1898, marking their repatriation from abroad after being scattered during British colonial rule. The relics, discovered in Uttar Pradesh and confirmed by an inscription on a casket containing bone fragments, were purchased by India's Godrej Industries Group, in collaboration with the government, following a canceled 2025 auction. The artifacts were returned after India's Ministry of Culture declared them to be inalienable cultural and religious heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the exhibition, describing it as a historic moment in reclaiming India's spiritual legacy. The exhibit includes relics from the original 1898 excavation, items from Kolkata's Indian Museum, and artifacts from subsequent digs, emphasizing their importance as symbols of peace and shared human heritage.