Sacred relics of Buddha from National Museum reach Ladakh as Leh marks Buddha Purnima

Leh: In a strong message for world peace, the sacred holy Piprahwa relics of Buddha have reached Ladakh from Delhi's National Museum for a fortnight-long exposition starting May 1.

The festival seeks to reinforce a sense of community in Ladakh where there is a significantly large Buddhist presence. Men, women and children of all age groups had traveled from across Leh to catch a glimpse of the relics that were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the venue of the exposition beginning Friday, which marks the 2,569th Buddha Purnima.

The opening ceremony of festival 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 proposed to host many programmes, exhibitions and seminars over the fortnight.

The relics will be available for public veneration from May 2 to May 10, followed by exposition in Zanskar on May 11 and 12.

Thereafter at Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13 to 14. They will be flown back to Delhi on May 15.

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