Sacred Buddha Relics Exposition Concludes in Ladakh, Draws Over 1.18 Lakh Devotees | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The 14-day Sacred Grand Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathāgata Buddha concluded in Ladakh on Thursday with thousands of devotees gathering at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar to pay their final respects to Lord Buddha.

Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, attended the closing ceremony, which coincided with the annual Monlam Chenmo, the Great Prayer Festival of Ladakh dedicated to world peace and universal happiness.

The concluding event witnessed the participation of thousands of monks, nuns, Rinpoches and devotees, while traditional sacred mask dances, known as Chhams, were performed by monks during the ceremony.

According to officials, more than 1.18 lakh devotees from Ladakh, different parts of India and abroad paid obeisance to the holy relics during the exposition, making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings ever organised in the Union Territory.

The Holy Relics were formally inaugurated for public exposition on May 1 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jivetsal in Leh. Shah had visited Ladakh for two days to attend the event.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor described the exposition as a symbol of spiritual awakening, cultural unity and harmony.

“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,” Saxena said.

He said the exposition attracted religious leaders, monks, historians, scholars, researchers, pilgrims and tourists from across India and several foreign countries, transforming Ladakh into a global spiritual destination.

The Lieutenant Governor also appreciated the people of Ladakh for standing in long queues with discipline and devotion to seek blessings from the sacred relics. He thanked the Ladakh Buddhist Association, All Ladakh Gonpa Association, officials of the UT Administration, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, ITBP and Ladakh Police for ensuring the successful conduct of the event.

Several dignitaries attended the exposition, including Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Thailand, Members of Parliament, senior Buddhist leaders, scholars and international pilgrims.

The arrival of the Holy Relics in Leh on April 29 had witnessed an emotional response, with thousands of residents dressed in traditional attire lining the roads from Leh Airport to Jivetsal to welcome the relics.

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

His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche said the people of Ladakh were fortunate to receive the blessings of the sacred relics of Tathāgata Buddha and thanked the Government of India and the UT Administration for organising the event successfully.

Among those present at the closing ceremony were LBA President Chering Dorjey Lakruk, LGA President Ven Dorjey Stanzin, Ven Sanghasena from MIMC, heads of religious, political and social organisations, and a large number of devotees.