By Arun Kumar Das
Leh (Ladakh), April 30: Marking commencement of historic spiritual celebration in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the holy Piprahwa relics of Tathagatha Buddha have been brought here amid deep spiritual fervour and an atmosphere imbued with devotion.
A warm and reverential welcome was accorded by Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena to the sacred relics when these arrived at Leh Airport from New Delhi, where the Holy Relics are originally preserved.
The reception ceremony was marked by traditional performances, ceremonial honours, and sacred rituals.
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 the Lieutenant Governor in the presence of prominent religious and public figures, including Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, President Ladakh Gonpa Association Ven. Dorje Stanzin 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 prayers on behalf of the people of Ladakh, invoking peace and well-being for all.
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, LG Saxena stated that the arrival of the holy relics has blessed the entire region.
He noted that while the relics have been exhibited internationally in the past, it is for the first time that the relics have been brought out from their original place of preservation, for exposition within India.
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.
The Home Minister Amit Shah, apart from 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 were 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.
