Leh: The sacred Piprahwa relics of the Buddha was accorded a ceremonial reception on arrival in Leh on Wednesday, as people poured out of their homes and gathered along the roads to pay respect.
The reception ceremony, with religious figures and government officials in attendance, witnessed traditional performances, ceremonial honours and sacred rituals, reflecting the region’s rich Buddhist heritage.
This marks the beginning of marking a rare and significant spiritual occasion in the Union Territory of Ladakh with an exposition for the public to be held in the first two weeks of May.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena accorded a ceremonial welcome to the sacred relics at the Technical Area of Leh airport after they were flown in from New Delhi, where they are preserved.
The relics were brought to Leh in a special Indian Air Force aircraft by Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and Khenpo ThinlasChosal of Matho Monastery.
Several prominent religious and public figures were present on the occasion: Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, Ladakh Gonpa Association president Ven. Dorje Stanzin, Ladakh Buddhist Association president CheringDorjey Lakruk, former MPs Thupstan Chewang and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, former Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Tashi Gyalson, and representatives of various social, religious and political organisations.
The Ladakh Police presented a ceremonial guard of honour, while monks offered special prayers. Saxena offered ‘khataks’ and prayers on behalf of the people of Ladakh.
Following the reception, the relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the designated venue for public exposition starting May 1 that coincides with Buddha Purnima this year.
As the sacred relics arrived in Leh, men, women and elderly residents stepped out of their homes and gathered along roads. They stood in quiet reverence, many holding bouquets, while others folded their hands in prayer as the procession passed.
With heads slightly bowed and hands joined, devotees offered their respects in silence, creating a deeply spiritual and moving atmosphere across the town.
Thousands of devotees from across Ladakh, dressed in traditional attire, lined the route to catch a glimpse of the relics, underscoring widespread faith and unity in the region.
Describing the occasion as highly auspicious, the lieutenant governor said the arrival of the relics has blessed Ladakh. He noted that while the relics have been exhibited internationally in several countries, this is the first time they have been brought out from their original place of preservation for exposition within India.
Saxena also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for choosing Ladakh for the event and highlighted the region’s deep-rooted connection with Buddhism. He urged people to participate in large numbers to seek blessings of Lord Buddha.
The Piprahwa relics have previously been exhibited in countries such as Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, attracting global attention and devotion, according to an official statement.
In Ladakh, the relics will be open for public veneration at Jivetsal from May 2 to May 10. They will subsequently be taken to Zanskar on May 11 and 12, followed by exposition at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to May 14, before being returned to Delhi on May 15, it read.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with other Union ministers, ambassadors, chief ministers of Buddhist-majority states and representatives of various Buddhist organisations, is expected to visit Leh during the veneration period.
In view of the expected influx of devotees and tourists, the administration has undertaken extensive preparations across Leh. The LG has directed beautification drives, plantation initiatives, installation of flower pots and city-wide cleanliness campaigns to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for visitors.
Piprahwa relics refers to ancient sacred remains and associated objects linked to Gautama Buddha, discovered at Piprahwa, an archaeological site in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, near the Nepal border.
The relics have gained renewed global significance in recent years, especially after a collection of associated gems and offerings was repatriated to India in July 2025 from a British family and a private collection, ending over a century of colonial possession.
