Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the sacred relics exposition of Gautama Buddha along with the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations during his two-day visit to Ladakh.
The ceremony was held at Jivetsal in the Photang-Choglamsar area of Leh, where the revered Piprahwa relics — ancient remains and sacred objects associated with the Buddha — have been placed for public veneration.
The Union Home Minister participated in traditional rituals, including Mandala and Sumba offerings, and paid obeisance to the relics. He also lit the ceremonial lamp at the Buddha statue, formally inaugurating the exposition.
The sacred relics, discovered at Piprahwa in present-day Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border, were brought to Leh in a special Indian Air Force aircraft. They will remain on display at Jivetsal from May 2 to May 10, followed by exhibitions in Zanskar on May 11–12 and at the Dharma Centre in Leh from May 13–14, before returning to Delhi on May 15.
Leh town has been adorned with decorations to mark the occasion, with large numbers of devotees expected to visit during the celebrations.
During his visit, Shah is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone of a 10,000-litre-per-day dairy plant in Kargil and launch several dairy development initiatives aimed at enhancing milk production and promoting self-reliance in Ladakh. These include mobile milk testing laboratories and modern milk cooling systems, part of efforts to usher in a “white revolution” in the Union Territory.
He was welcomed in Leh by BJP leaders and workers, including party vice-president Haji Anayat Ali.
