In a powerful gesture for global peace, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Buddha have reached Ladakh from the National Museum in Delhi for a fortnight-long exposition starting May 1. The festival aims to strengthen community bonds in Ladakh, home to a significant Buddhist population. Men, women, and children from across Leh traveled to catch a glimpse of the relics, which were carried in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the venue of the exposition beginning Friday, coinciding with the 2,569th Buddha Purnima.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony will be attended by several Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, chief ministers of Buddhist-dominated states, ambassadors, and Buddhist leaders. Leh and Zanskar are set to host numerous programs, exhibitions, and seminars over the two-week period.
Public Veneration Schedule
The relics will be available for public veneration from May 2 to May 10 in Leh, followed by an exposition in Zanskar on May 11 and 12. Subsequently, they will be displayed at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14. The relics will be flown back to Delhi on May 15.
The event underscores the region's deep Buddhist heritage and promotes a message of harmony and peace. Devotees from all walks of life have gathered to pay homage, reflecting the enduring significance of the Buddha's teachings in contemporary times.
