The sacred relics of Lord Buddha returned to India on Tuesday after a historic month-long spiritual exposition across Vietnam that drew over 17.8 million devotees.

The relics were received with honor at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi by a delegation led by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Secretary General Ven. Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden, and National Museum officials.

They will be briefly displayed at the National Museum, followed by a prayer ceremony. On June 4, the relics will travel to Sarnath in a Presidential cavalcade and be enshrined at Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, concluding the pilgrimage.

The tour, part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations, highlighted India-Vietnam spiritual ties and Buddhist unity.