Thursday, Apr 30, 2026 09:00 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Apr 30, 2026 03:25 [IST]
LEH,: The holy Piprahwa relics of Tathagatha Buddha arrived in Leh Wednesday, amid deep spiritual fervour, marking the commencement of a historic spiritual celebration in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The sacred exposition of the holy relics of the Tathagata commemorates the 2569th Vesak Buddha Purnima.
The sacred relics arrived at the Technical Area at Leh Airport, where the holy relics are originally preserved.
The relics, brought from Delhi by Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and Khenpo Thinlas Chosal of Matho Monastery in a special Air Force aircraft, were received by Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, in the presence of prominent religious and public figures, including Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, Ladakh Gonpa Association president Dorje Stanzin, Ladakh Buddhist Association president Chering Dorjey Lakruk, former Members of Parliament Thupstan Chewang and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, LAHDC’s former CEC Leh Tashi Gyalson, and representatives of various social, religious and political organisations.
The Ladakh Police accorded a ceremonial guard of honour, while monks performed special prayers. The Lieutenant Governor offered khataks and prayers on behalf of the people of Ladakh, invoking peace and well-being for all. The reception ceremony was marked by traditional performances, ceremonial honours, and sacred rituals.
Following the ceremonial reception, the relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the designated venue for public exposition, beginning May 1, which marks the 2569th Buddha Purnima. The event witnessed overwhelming community participation from across Ladakh, reflecting unity, faith, and collective reverence, as thousands of devotees, dressed in traditional attire, lined the route up to Jivetsal to catch a glimpse of the sacred relics.
Describing the occasion as highly auspicious, Saxena stated that the arrival of the holy relics has blessed the entire region.
"You have seen the grand welcome they received here. They are now being taken from the technical area of the Air Force to the Jivetsal, where they will be kept in safe custody.
“Starting from May 1st, the day of Buddha Purnima, they will be opened for public viewing. The Home Minister is arriving on that day, and it will be a very significant program. This is the first time in the country that the holy relics of Buddha have been brought anywhere within India for public exposition. While the Ministry has sent them abroad many times for exhibitions, this is a first for our own country. It is a matter of great pride for all the people of Ladakh. You can see the enthusiasm here; people are receiving them with great fervor, and devotees are lined up along the entire route to catch a glimpse of them. I reiterate that this is a monumental day for Ladakh, for the Buddhist community, and for everyone living here, as the journey of such a grand exposition begins today.”
"We expect at least 15,000 to 20,000 people to visit the exposition site on the first of May, and thereafter, people from every village will come here to pay their respects. All necessary arrangements have been made, and the city has been decorated for the occasion. We are making efforts to ensure the maximum number of people can participate. I would also like to mention that many Chief Ministers, High Commissioners, and Ambassadors have confirmed their attendance, and arrangements are being made for them," said LG Saxena.
Over the years, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have been exhibited in several countries, including Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, drawing global attention and devotion. In Ladakh, the relics will be available for public veneration at Jivetsal from May 2 to May 10, followed by exposition in Zanskar on May 11 and 12, and thereafter at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14, before being flown back to Delhi on May 15.
Home minister Amit Shah, along with other Union ministers, Ambassadors, Chief Ministers of Buddhist-majority States, and representatives of various Buddhist organisations will be visiting Leh for the veneration.
The Piprahwa relics have gained renewed global significance in recent years. After 127 years in colonial possession, a significant collection of associated gems and offerings was repatriated to India in July 2025, from a British family and a private collection.
In anticipation of the influx of devotees and tourists, the Lieutenant Governor has been closely monitoring preparations and has directed extensive beautification and infrastructure measures across Leh. Plantation drives, placement of flower pots, and city-wide cleanliness initiatives have been undertaken in a mission mode to ensure a pleasant, aesthetic, and spiritually enriching experience for all visitors.
