Leh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the inauguration of the “Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata” in Leh offers a valuable opportunity for people across Ladakh to pay their respects and will further boost spiritual and cultural tourism in the region.
The exposition of the revered relics of Tathagata Buddha was inaugurated on Friday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his two-day visit to Ladakh on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said it was a matter of immense delight that the sacred exposition was inaugurated in Leh on Buddha Purnima. He noted that the revered relics are linked to the Piprahwa Stupa in Kapilavastu and were excavated in the closing years of the nineteenth century. According to him, the relics embody the enduring teachings of Lord Buddha and hold immense spiritual and historical significance.
PM Modi said the exposition will continue in Leh until May 14 and will later travel to Zanskar, giving people from remote parts of Ladakh a rare chance to offer prayers and seek blessings. He added that the event would also strengthen Ladakh’s position as an important destination for spiritual and cultural tourism.
The sacred Piprahwa relics — ancient remains and associated objects linked to Lord Buddha discovered near the Nepal border in present-day Uttar Pradesh — arrived in Leh on Wednesday after being brought from New Delhi for public veneration.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena described the public response as overwhelming, saying nearly 11,000 devotees and visitors paid respects to the Holy Buddha Relics at Jivetsal in Leh on Saturday alone.
He said several devotees had travelled from Nubra, Durbuk and other remote parts of Ladakh to witness the sacred exposition. Appreciating the administration for smooth arrangements, he said the discipline and devotion shown by visitors despite long queues was highly commendable.
In another post, the LG said it was heartening to witness a sea of humanity at Jivetsal on the second day of the exposition, with long but peaceful queues stretching across the open grounds and spilling onto the main approach road since early morning.
He noted that despite Ladakh’s biting cold winds, the atmosphere in Leh remained filled with spiritual fervour as devotees, including elderly people and schoolchildren, patiently waited for their turn while chanting prayers.
The LG expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for giving the people of Ladakh what he described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this timeless heritage of India and the world.
As part of the ongoing religious observance, monks from 16 major monasteries of Ladakh are offering prayers on a rotational basis each day, creating an atmosphere of continuous spiritual devotion at the venue.
Devotees from Nubra and Durbuk blocks attended the first day in significant numbers, while volunteers of the Ladakh Buddhist Association Youth Wing assisted in crowd management and provided support to elderly and physically challenged visitors.
The Ladakh Buddhist Association is coordinating the programme and has issued a village-wise schedule to ensure participation from all parts of Leh district. Organisers said the phased arrangement would allow equal opportunity for devotees from every area to take part in the veneration.
The sacred relics will remain at Jivetsal for public darshan until May 10, after which they are scheduled to be taken to Zanskar on May 11 for the next phase of the exposition.
