Amid deep spiritual fervour and an atmosphere imbued with devotion, the holy Piprahwa relics of Tathagatha Buddha arrived in Leh today. This marked the commencement of a historic spiritual celebration in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, warmly welcomed the sacred relics upon their arrival at the Technical Area of Leh Airport from New Delhi.
Traditional performances, ceremonial honours, and sacred rituals characterized the reception ceremony. The relics, transported from Delhi by Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and Khenpo Thinlas Chosal of Matho Monastery in a special Air Force aircraft, received a distinguished welcome. Prominent religious figures including Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, and President Ladakh Gonpa Association Ven. Dorje Stanzin were present, as were representatives from various social, religious, and political organizations.
The Ladakh Police honoured the relics with a ceremonial guard. Monks offered special prayers as Lieutenant Governor Saxena presented khataks and prayers on behalf of the people of Ladakh, invoking peace and well-being for all.
Following the ceremonial reception, the relics began a grand procession to Jivetsal, the site designated for public exposition. The event, starting on May 1, coincides with the 2569th Buddha Purnima and witnessed remarkable community participation. Thousands of devoted individuals dressed in traditional attire lined the procession route to get a glimpse of the sacred relics.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena described the occasion as highly auspicious, emphasizing that the arrival of these holy relics has blessed the entire region. He noted that while the relics have been exhibited in various countries, this is the first time they are displayed in India outside their original preservation site. Saxena expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh for this significant event and urged the public to participate in large numbers to seek Lord Buddha’s blessings.
Over the years, the sacred Piprahwa relics have been showcased in numerous countries, including Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. In Ladakh, the relics will remain available for public veneration at Jivetsal from May 2 to May 10. The exposition continues in Zanskar on May 11 and 12, then moves to the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14 before returning to Delhi on May 15.
High-profile attendees, including Home Minister Amit Shah, union ministers, ambassadors, and chief ministers of Buddhist-majority states, will arrive in Leh for this sacred veneration event.
The Piprahwa relics recently gained renewed global importance when a significant collection of associated gems and offerings was repatriated to India in July 2025 after 127 years in colonial possession.
Anticipating a large influx of devotees and tourists, the Lieutenant Governor has actively monitored preparations, directing significant beautification and infrastructure improvements across Leh. Measures such as plantation drives, arrangement of flower pots, and city-wide cleanliness initiatives ensure a pleasant and enriching experience for all visitors.
