02/05/2026
🌸 Devni Mori Archaeological Heritage & Sacred Relics of the Buddha 🌸
Devni Mori, located near the Meshwo River in Gujarat, India, is an ancient and historically important site known as a center of Indo-Greek artistic tradition and Buddhist culture. Archaeological excavations carried out in the 1960s uncovered a Great Stupa, from which were discovered the sacred bodily relics (Śārīrika Dhātu) of the Supreme Buddha—a truly extraordinary moment in Buddhist history.
✨ Significance of the Discovery
• Historical Period:
The Great Stupa belongs to the Western Kshatrapa (Kṣatrapa) period, an important era in early Indian history.
• Inscriptions:
The relic casket bears inscriptions in Brahmi script, clearly confirming that these are the authentic bodily relics of the Buddha.
• Art & Culture:
Terracotta Buddha images found at the site show strong influence from the Gandhāra art tradition, reflecting cultural exchange of the time.
📜 Relic Casket Inscription
The reliquary from the Devni Mori Great Stupa is extremely important to Buddhist archaeology and epigraphy:
• Language & Script:
Written in Sanskrit, using Western Kshatrapa Brahmi script.
• Scholarly Importance:
It is one of the finest examples for studying the evolution of Brahmi script between the 2nd–4th centuries CE.
• Decipherment:
First read and published by renowned archaeologists Prof. R. N. Mehta and S. N. Chowdhary.
• Content:
The Buddha is honored as “Dashabala” (The One Possessing Ten Powers).
The phrase “Dashabalasya sharira sharira dhatu” clearly confirms these as the true bodily relics of the Buddha.
• Dating:
The inscription dates the stupa to the reign of King Rudrasena, around 375 CE (Śaka Year 297).
Core Inscription (Excerpt)
“Namō Sarvajñāya.
Dashabala sharira nilayaḥ praśasta ramyo mahā stūpaḥ …”
🧘♂️ Simple Meaning
• Built during the 127th year of the Kathika kings, under King Sri Rudrasena.
• A beautiful Great Stupa was built to enshrine the bodily relics of the Buddha, the Bearer of Ten Powers.
• Completed on the 5th day of the month of Bhādrapada.
🌏 A Historic Moment for Sri Lanka
✨ Special Note:
These 1,700-year-old sacred Buddha relics from Devni Mori have been brought to Sri Lanka for the first time in history.
They are now enshrined for public veneration at Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo (February 2026).
This historic transfer took place under the guidance of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, symbolizing deep spiritual and cultural friendship between the two nations.
📖 Broader Buddhist Importance
This discovery highlights the widespread presence of Mahāsāṅghika Buddhist monks in Western India, along with their advanced religious, literary, and artistic traditions.
🙏 May this sacred occasion strengthen faith, wisdom, and harmony among all beings.
Green Mountain Monk
