Amit Shah visits Ladakh for first global Buddha relics exposition on Buddha Purnima
Synopsis
For the first time ever, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha are on public exposition in Ladakh — timed to the 2,569th Buddha Purnima. Home Minister Amit Shah's presence underscores the political and spiritual weight the Centre is placing on this event, while thousands of devotees have already lined the streets of Leh in a historic welcome.
Key Takeaways
Union Home Minister Amit Shah began a two-day visit to Ladakh on 30 April 2025 to attend the first-ever international exposition of Buddha's holy relics.
The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha (Tathagata) arrived in Leh on 30 April and were received with a guard of honour at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport .
The public exposition begins on 1 May 2025 — Buddha Purnima — at Jivetsal, Leh , marking the 2,569th Buddha Purnima .
Relics will be open for veneration at Jivetsal from 2 to 10 May , followed by Zanskar on 11–12 May and Dharma Centre, Leh, on 13–14 May , before returning to Delhi on 15 May .
L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Ladakh as the host for this historic event.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah began a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh on 30 April 2025 to attend the first-ever international exposition of the holy relics of Lord Buddha, scheduled to commence on 1 May, coinciding with Buddha Purnima. The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha (Tathagata) arrived in Leh on Wednesday ahead of what officials have described as a landmark spiritual and cultural event for the region.
Arrival of the Sacred Relics
The holy relics were received at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport, Leh, by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, senior officials, and spiritual leaders in a ceremonial welcome. The Ladakh Police accorded a guard of honour, while monks performed special prayers amid an atmosphere of deep devotion. Following the reception, the relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the designated venue for the public exposition.
Thousands of devotees participated in the procession, with people in traditional attire lining the route to witness the sacred arrival. L-G Saxena described the occasion as highly auspicious, noting that the relics have been brought to India for public exposition after being displayed internationally in several countries.
What Amit Shah Said
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Shah wrote:
Point of View
Carved out as a Union Territory in 2019, carries deep political and cultural symbolism, and anchoring a globally significant Buddhist event there reinforces the BJP's outreach to Buddhist communities across the Himalayan belt. Amit Shah's personal attendance elevates it further. What deserves scrutiny is whether the logistical and spiritual infrastructure in Leh can absorb the scale of international devotees this exposition is expected to draw — and whether the event's legacy extends beyond the calendar fortnight into lasting cultural investment for the region.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first international exposition of Buddha's relics in Ladakh?
It is the first-ever global public exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha (Tathagata), held at Jivetsal in Leh, Ladakh, beginning 1 May 2025 on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. Devotees from different parts of the world are expected to offer veneration to the relics during the event.
Why is Amit Shah visiting Ladakh on 30 April 2025?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to Ladakh to attend the inaugural ceremony of the first-ever international exposition of Lord Buddha's holy relics, commencing on 1 May 2025, coinciding with Buddha Purnima. He described the occasion as a 'moment of profound good fortune' in a post on X.
Where will the Buddha relics be displayed and for how long?
The relics will be open for public veneration at Jivetsal, Leh, from 2 to 10 May, followed by Zanskar on 11 and 12 May, and the Dharma Centre in Leh from 13 to 14 May, before being taken back to Delhi on 15 May.
What are the Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha?
The Piprahwa relics are sacred remains of Lord Buddha (Tathagata), recovered from Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh. They have previously been displayed internationally in several countries and are now being brought to Ladakh for a historic public exposition coinciding with the 2,569th Buddha Purnima.
Who received the Buddha relics in Leh?
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, along with senior officials and spiritual leaders, received the holy relics at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh. The Ladakh Police accorded a guard of honour and monks performed special prayers during the ceremonial welcome.
