 Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 29: A day ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Leh on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a historic spiritual event in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Amid deep spiritual fervour, the revered Piprahwa relics of Tathagata Buddha were accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Technical Area of Leh Airport after being flown in from New Delhi, where they are preserved. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena received the relics with full honours in the presence of prominent religious leaders and dignitaries.
The reception ceremony featured traditional performances, sacred rituals, and a ceremonial guard of honour by Ladakh Police. Monks offered special prayers, while the Lieutenant Governor presented khataks and prayed for peace, harmony, and well-being on behalf of the people of Ladakh.
The relics were brought to Leh in a special Indian Air Force aircraft by revered Buddhist leaders, including Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and Khenpo Thinlas Chosal of Matho Monastery. Several prominent figures attended the ceremony, including Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, Ladakh Gonpa Association President Ven. Dorje Stanzin, Ladakh Buddhist Association President Chering Dorjey Lakruk, and former Members of Parliament Thupstan Chewang and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal.
Following the reception, the sacred relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the designated venue for public exposition. Thousands of devotees, dressed in traditional attire, lined the route to pay obeisance, reflecting deep faith and unity across the region.
The exposition will commence on May 1 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima. In Ladakh, the relics will be open for public darshan from May 2 to May 10 at Jivetsal, followed by their display in Zanskar on May 11 and 12, and at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14. The relics are scheduled to return to Delhi on May 15.
Describing the occasion as highly auspicious, the Lieutenant Governor said the arrival of the relics has spiritually blessed the region. He noted that although the relics have been exhibited internationally, this marks their first public exposition within India outside their place of preservation. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh for the sacred event and urged people to participate in large numbers.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Union Ministers, ambassadors, Chief Ministers from Buddhist-majority states, and representatives of various Buddhist organisations, is expected to attend the function during his visit to Leh.
The Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have previously been exhibited in several countries, including Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, attracting global reverence. Their significance has further increased following the repatriation of associated artefacts to India in July 2025 after over a century in foreign possession.
In view of the expected influx of devotees and tourists, the administration has undertaken extensive preparations across Leh. Beautification drives, plantation campaigns, and large-scale cleanliness initiatives have been carried out to ensure a spiritually enriching and seamless experience for visitors.
Earlier, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, the sacred relics were flown from Delhi to Ladakh under high-security arrangements aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft for public exposition from May 1 to 14, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Buddha Purnima. |