Special Prayers by Venerable Banagala Upatissa to Mark Modi's 25-Year Political Journey

30-Oct-2026

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“I pray that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's future journey will be successful and that he will receive the strength, courage and blessings necessary to continue serving the people of India,” said Venerable Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera.

Special religious observances and Pirith chanting ceremonies were held at the Agrasravaka Maha Viharaya in Colombo on 29 October 2026 to invoke blessings for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, marking the completion of 25 years of Mr Modi's political journey.

The Thera made these remarks while speaking to the media following special religious observances held the previous day at the Agrasravaka Maha Viharaya in Maligakanda, Maradana, Colombo.

He further stated that the event had been organised to invoke blessings for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people on the occasion of the Prime Minister completing 25 years in political life.

The sacred relics of the Buddha's chief disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, discovered at the Chetiyagiri Vihara in Sanchi, are preserved at three locations around the world. One is the Sanchi Vihara, another is the Agrasravaka Maha Viharaya in Colombo, and the third is in Myanmar's capital.

He said that he had maintained a long-standing relationship with Prime Minister Modi. During a visit to Bodh Gaya in India with Mr Modi to worship the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the Prime Minister had remarked, “Delhi is our political capital, while Bodh Gaya is our spiritual capital.”

He also highlighted the inclusion of an image of the Sanchi Stupa on India's ₹200 currency note and the establishment of an airport at Kushinagar to facilitate Buddhist pilgrims.

Approximately two years ago, the sacred relics of Sariputta and Moggallana were taken to Thailand and made available for public veneration for three weeks. More than 4.5 million people paid their respects to the relics during that period.

Arrangements were similarly made for the Mongolian people to venerate the sacred relics. The relics were transported there on a special aircraft in collaboration with monks from the Sanchi Vihara and were made available for worship for approximately two weeks. Governors and ministers also participated in the event with the cooperation of the Mongolian Government.

Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj have visited this Vihara.

“We therefore pray that Prime Minister Modi's future journey will be successful and that he will receive the strength, courage and blessings necessary to continue serving the people of India,” he said.