Rijiju pays obeisance to Piprahwa Buddha relics in Leh
Synopsis
For the first time in 70 years, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha are on public display in Ladakh — and senior Union Ministers including Rijiju and Amit Shah have made the pilgrimage to Leh. The exposition, running till 14 May, is being framed as both a spiritual homecoming and a cultural heritage milestone for India.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju paid obeisance to the sacred Piprahwa Buddha relics at Jivetsal, Leh on 5 May 2026 .
The relics arrived in Leh via an Indian Air Force aircraft on 29 April 2026 and are on public display from 1 May to 14 May 2026 .
Home Minister Amit Shah addressed devotees on the inaugural day, coinciding with Buddha Purnima 2026 .
Shah noted the relics had returned to Ladakh after 70 years , when poor connectivity had limited public access.
The relics will also be displayed in Zanskar to promote peace and cultural heritage across the region.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, visited Leh to pay obeisance to the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, declaring that the message of the Tathagata transcends time, geography, and borders. The minister's visit comes during a historic public exposition of the relics being held in Ladakh from 1 May to 14 May 2026.
Rijiju's Darshan and Remarks
After having darshan at Jivetsal, Leh, Rijiju posted on X:
Point of View
Or remains a high-visibility pilgrimage moment, is the question worth watching.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Piprahwa Buddha relics on display in Leh?
The Piprahwa relics are sacred remains of Lord Buddha that arrived in Leh via an Indian Air Force aircraft on 29 April 2026. They are on public display at Jivetsal, Leh, from 1 May to 14 May 2026, and will also be shown in Zanskar to promote peace and cultural heritage.
Why did Kiren Rijiju visit Leh on 5 May 2026?
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visited Leh to pay obeisance to the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha at Jivetsal. He described the arrival of the relics in Ladakh as a blessing that transcends time, geography, and borders.
When did the Buddha relics last visit Ladakh?
According to Home Minister Amit Shah, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha had come to Ladakh 70 years before the current exposition. At that time, limited roads and connectivity meant very few people could attend the darshan.
What was Amit Shah's role in the Buddha relics exposition?
Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a large gathering of devotees on the inaugural day of the exposition, which coincided with Buddha Purnima 2026. He noted the significance of the relics returning to Ladakh and highlighted Buddha's unique spiritual distinction of being born, attaining salvation, and passing away on Buddha Purnima.
How do the Buddha relics connect to India's cultural heritage push?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the profound spiritual and cultural significance of the Piprahwa relics, framing their homecoming during Buddha Purnima 2026 as a testament to preserving India's rich heritage and a boost to cultural tourism.
