Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level preparatory meeting at Lok Niwas to review arrangements for the upcoming holy exposition of the sacred Buddha relics in the Union Territory. Calling the event “historic and spiritually significant,” the Lt Governor urged collective support from citizens, religious leaders, and stakeholders to make the exposition a grand success.
Sacred Buddha Relics to Arrive in April
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra informed the meeting that the sacred relics are expected to arrive in Leh on April 28–29, with a grand ceremonial reception planned on May 1. The relics will be placed at Jivestal for public viewing for approximately 15 days, allowing devotees from across Ladakh to seek blessings.
The proposal to bring the relics to Ladakh was approved by the Ministry of Culture after the Lt Governor highlighted the region’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage.
Spiritual Leaders Offer Key Suggestions
The meeting witnessed participation from prominent Buddhist spiritual leaders, including H.E. Thiksay Rinpoche, H.E. Drukpa Thuksey, H.E. Bakula Rangdol Nima Rinpoche, and other revered Rinpoches.
They expressed gratitude to the UT Administration and suggested:
- Strong security and crowd management systems
- Formation of smaller task-oriented committees
- A grand reception at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport
- Mass chanting and prayers by different Buddhist sects
- Multilingual information dissemination for devotees and tourists
- Screening of films on Lord Buddha
- Invitations to ambassadors from Southeast Asian nations and Buddhist institutions
Focus on Planning, Security and Coordination
Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta stressed that only two months remain for preparations and called for meticulous planning and seamless coordination. He directed departments to ensure proper logistics, transportation, sanitation, medical facilities, and volunteer management.
Highlighting Ladakh’s spiritual legacy, he said the exposition should send a global message of peace, unity, and harmony, especially in today’s volatile international environment. He also proposed organising interfaith seminars and mass prayer sessions during the event.
Boost to Spiritual Tourism in Ladakh
With a large number of tourists expected to visit Ladakh in May, the Lt Governor directed departments to promote awareness about the sacred relics and their historical significance among visitors. He assured coordinated efforts with religious authorities and security agencies to ensure a safe and spiritually enriching experience.
Call for Public Participation
Describing the exposition as a defining spiritual milestone for Ladakh, the Lt Governor appealed to citizens, youth groups, civil society organisations, and religious institutions to actively participate and extend wholehearted support.
The UT Administration reaffirmed its commitment to making the sacred Buddha relics exposition a historic, well-organised, and spiritually uplifting event for Ladakh and devotees worldwide.
