Amid deep spiritual fervour and an atmosphere imbued with devotion, the holy Piprahwa relics of Tathagatha Buddha arrived in Leh today. This significant event marks the commencement of a historic spiritual celebration in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, accorded a warm and reverential welcome to the sacred relics upon their arrival at the Technical Area, Leh Airport, from New Delhi. The relics, originally preserved in Delhi, have been transported with care for this special occasion.
Traditional performances, ceremonial honours, and sacred rituals marked the reception ceremony. Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and Khenpo Thinlas Chosal of Matho Monastery brought the relics aboard a special Air Force aircraft. They were received by prominent religious and public figures, including Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, President of Ladakh Gonpa Association Ven. Dorje Stanzin, and President of Ladakh Buddhist Association Chering Dorjey Lakruk. Former Members of Parliament Thupstan Chewang and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and other significant representatives attended the event.
The Ladakh Police rendered a ceremonial guard of honour as monks performed special prayers. The Lieutenant Governor offered khataks and conducted prayers on behalf of the people of Ladakh, invoking peace and wellness for all.
After the ceremonial reception, the relics embarked on a grand procession to Jivetsal, the designated venue for public exposition, commencing on May 1, coinciding with the 2569th Buddha Purnima. The event witnessed overwhelming community participation from across Ladakh, reflecting unity, faith, and collective reverence. Thousands of devotees, dressed in traditional attire, lined the route leading to Jivetsal to catch a glimpse of the sacred relics.
Describing the occasion as highly auspicious, Lieutenant Governor Saxena remarked that the arrival of the holy relics has blessed the entire region. He highlighted that while the relics have been exhibited internationally, this marks the first time they have been brought out of their original preservation site for exposition within India. Saxena expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh as the venue for this sacred event, emphasizing the region’s deep-rooted ties to Buddhism and spirituality. He urged people to participate in large numbers to seek the blessings of Lord Buddha.
Over the years, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have made appearances 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 10, followed by exhibitions in Zanskar on May 11 and 12. The relics will then be displayed at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14, before returning to Delhi on May 15.
Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, along with union ministers, ambassadors, and chief ministers from Buddhist-majority states, will visit Leh to participate in the veneration of the relics.
The Piprahwa relics have garnered renewed global significance in recent years. After spending 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. Extensive beautification and infrastructure measures have been implemented across Leh. Initiatives like plantation drives, flower pot placements, and city-wide cleanliness campaigns aim to ensure a pleasant, aesthetic, and spiritually enriching experience for all visitors.
