Leh, Mar 06: Ashish Kundra, Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, on Thursday announced that a historic exposition of the sacred relics of Gautama Buddha will be organised in Leh beginning May 1, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima.
Addressing the media after the first meeting of the UT-level coordination committee constituted by the Lieutenant Governor, Kundra said the proposal to bring the holy relics to Ladakh had been sent to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and preparations have begun following approval of the draft proposal.
He said the sacred relics, currently preserved at the National Museum, are expected to arrive in Leh on April 28 or 29, with the inauguration of the exposition planned for May 1. The exhibition is proposed to continue until May 31, subject to approval from the Ministry of Culture.
Kundra described the event as a rare and historic occasion for Ladakh, noting that the holy relics are usually taken abroad to countries where Buddhism is widely practiced. Within India, they have rarely been exhibited outside the National Museum.
“Even in Ladakh, such relics were last brought nearly 70 years ago. Therefore, this is an extremely significant and auspicious opportunity for the people of the region,” he said.
The Chief Secretary said the UT-level committee meeting was attended by representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association, along with prominent Rinpoche leaders from various monasteries and political representatives including Tashi Gyalson and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal.
Some members joined the meeting online while others attended in person. Kundra said the committee was formed to ensure that all Buddhist sects, monasteries and sections of society participate in the preparations and feel ownership of the event.
“This should not be seen as an event of the administration alone. It should belong to the entire society of Ladakh,” he said.
As part of the preparations, special prayers will be organised for a week in selected monasteries across Ladakh before the arrival of the relics to create a spiritual atmosphere across the region.
The theme of the exposition has been proposed as “Peace in Times of Conflict.” Kundra said the message reflects the teachings of Buddha and Ladakh’s identity as a land of peace.
“In a time when conflicts are taking place across the world, Ladakh can send a message of peace from the land of Buddha,” he said.
A special cleanliness campaign will be carried out in Leh town from April 15 to April 30. According to Kundra, the Deputy Commissioner of Leh has divided the town into different sectors for the drive.
Various agencies including the Indian Army, ITBP, Ladakh Police and the municipal committee will participate in the campaign. The Ladakh Buddhist Association has volunteered to undertake painting and repair of stupas and religious structures along the routes leading to the venue.
The exposition will be held at Jivetsal in Leh, where arrangements for sanitation, water supply, security, traffic management and stalls will be coordinated jointly by the administration and religious organisations.
Kundra said the Lieutenant Governor would write to the Ministry of External Affairs requesting that ambassadors from Buddhist-majority countries in Southeast and Central Asia be invited to attend the event.
He informed, “Invitations will also be extended to chief ministers of states with strong Buddhist heritage, including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Bihar, which is home to important Buddhist sites such as Bodh Gaya and Nalanda University. Prominent Buddhist educational institutions across India will also be invited to participate.
An interfaith seminar will also be organised at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre in Leh to promote communal harmony and dialogue among religions.
Religious leaders from different communities in Ladakh, including Muslim representatives from Kargil as well as Hindu, Christian and Buddhist leaders, will be invited to take part in the dialogue.”
Given the expected large turnout of devotees and tourists, the administration plans to create three designated parking areas with shuttle services to the venue.
Special arrangements will also be made for elderly devotees and women, including separate queues and seating facilities. Bus services may be organised for pilgrims coming from remote areas such as Nubra Valley, Zanskar and Changthang.
Kundra appealed to market associations, youth groups and civil society organisations to actively contribute to the success of the event.
He also said a peace march by monks may be organised during the exhibition to spread the message of peace from Ladakh to the rest of the world.
Nine sub-committees comprising representatives from the administration, the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gompa Association will be constituted to oversee various aspects of the preparations, he added.
