Devotees gather in Hanoi to honor Buddha relics

Hanoi: Hanoi’s streets were filled with excitement and devotion on Wednesday as thousands gathered outside the Quan Su Pagoda to honour the Holy Buddha Relics sent from India. The atmosphere was festive, with the crowd chanting "The Buddha has arrived."

Around 500,000 people had gathered in the city on Tuesday to welcome the sacred relics, which were enshrined at the Quan Su Pagoda following a ceremonial ritual. Emotions ran high, with many people praying, weeping, and chanting in reverence. The relics will remain at the temple until May 16, 2025, where they will be on public display.

The relics, which arrived in Hanoi from Sarnath, India, were brought to Vietnam as part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed his admiration for the over one million people who paid their respects to the relics during the Vesak Day observance. He noted the strong cultural and spiritual ties between the two countries.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong also praised the gesture, recognizing it as a symbol of the deep spiritual relationship between Vietnam and India. The relics, which traveled with an Indian delegation led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, have already been displayed in several locations across Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province.

The Holy Relics will stay in Vietnam until May 21, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.