India, July 31 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India after 127 years, calling it a "joyous day" for the country's cultural heritage. He noted that the relics were discovered in 1898 but taken away from the country during the colonial period.

"A joyous day for our cultural heritage! It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years. These sacred relics highlight India's close association with Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings," Modi said in a post on X.

He added that the development "illustrates our commitment to preserving and protecting different aspects of our glorious culture."

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