Over 1.18 lakh devotees pay obeisance during 14-day Sacred Exposition of Holy Relics in Leh & Zanskar

• Sacred Exposition of Holy Relics of Tathāgata concludes in Leh
• L-G says Ladakh emerging as global centre of peace and spiritual awakening

Leh, May 14: The Sacred Exposition of the Holy Buddha Relics in Ladakh, concluded today with people from all walks of life turning up at the Dharma Centre in Leh, to pay their final respects to Lord Buddha. Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, attended the closing ceremony of the 14-day Sacred Grand Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathāgata at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar.

The concluding ceremony coincided with the sacred Monlam Chenmo, the annual Great Prayer Festival of Ladakh, dedicated to world peace and universal happiness, which was also the theme of this Exposition. The Great Prayer Festival witnessed the participation of thousands of monks, nuns, venerable Rinpoches and devotees. Sacred mask dance, or Chhams were performed by the monks on the occasion.

Overall, the Sacred Exposition witnessed an overwhelming response from devotees across Ladakh, different parts of India and abroad, with more than 1,18,000 devotees paying obeisance to the holy relics during the fourteen-day exposition, making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings ever organised in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Holy Relics were formally inaugurated for public exposition on May 1, 2026, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima, by Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, at Jivetsal in Leh. Shri Amit Shah personally attended the event and spent two days in Ladakh, reflecting the Government of India’s commitment towards promoting Ladakh’s Buddhist heritage and spiritual traditions.

Lieutenant Governor Shri Saxena said that the exposition was not only a deep spiritual occasion but also a symbol of cultural unity and harmony. He stated that the land of Ladakh appeared blessed by Lord Buddha himself and that the spiritual energy generated during the exposition would remain with the people forever.

The Lieutenant Governor said that religious leaders, monks, historians, scholars, researchers, pilgrims and tourists from different parts of India and abroad participated in the exposition, transforming Ladakh into a global spiritual destination.

 “The sacred relics of Lord Buddha will return tomorrow to the National Museum in Delhi, but their blessings will remain here forever. Let us together establish Ladakh at the global level as a centre of peace, contemplation and spiritual awakening,” LG, Shri Saxena said.

The Lieutenant Governor wholeheartedly appreciated the people of Ladakh for standing in long queues for hours with discipline, patience and devotion, to seek blessings from the sacred relics and emphasised that the success of the event would not have been possible without public cooperation.

The Lieutenant Governor thanked all the venerable Rinpoches, the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the All Ladakh Gonpa Association, along with the officials of UT Administration, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, ITBP and Ladakh Police, for their invaluable support in ensuring the successful conduct of the exposition.

The exposition witnessed the participation of several distinguished dignitaries, including Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu, Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju, ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Thailand, Members of Parliament, senior Buddhist leaders, monks, scholars and international pilgrims.

The arrival of the Holy Relics in Leh on April 29 witnessed an emotional response from the people, with thousands of residents dressed in traditional attire lining the roads from Leh Airport to Jivetsal to accord a grand welcome to the relics. Devotees from remote villages, monasteries and border regions travelled long distances to seek blessings during the exposition.

The Holy Relics remained on public display at Jivetsal in Leh for nine days before being taken to Karsha Gonpa in Zanskar on May 11 & 12. Special prayers, cultural programmes, conferences and spiritual activities were also organised during the exposition.

His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche mentioned that the people of Ladakh are fortunate to get the opportunity to seek the blessings of the sacred relics of Tathagata Buddha and expressed his gratitude to the Government of India, Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena and all the concerned agencies and organisations for making the event a grand success.

LBA President Shri Chering Dorjey Lakruk, LGA President Ven Dorjey Stanzin, Ven Sanghasena from MIMC, heads of religious, political and social organisations, along with a large number of people, attended the closing ceremony.