LEH: Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, chaired a high-level meeting with revered Rinpoches, monks, officials and stakeholders to review preparations for the upcoming Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Gautama Buddha in Leh and Zanskar.
Prominent spiritual leaders including Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche, Palga Rinpoche and Stakna Rinpoche, along with Ven. Sanghasena of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre and representatives from various monasteries, participated in the deliberations. The meeting also discussed preparatory rituals and ceremonial aspects, with the All Ladakh Gonpa Association set to oversee chanting recitals by monks from 16 monasteries.
Rinpoches shared key suggestions to enhance the spiritual and cultural depth of the event, including a unified chanting of mantras by all participating monasteries. Proposals were also made to depict the life of Buddha—from birth to enlightenment—through drone-based visual presentations and to improve outreach through pamphlets and QR-enabled information at tourist hubs such as Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport.
Additional recommendations included installing informational standees at hotels and guest houses, organising special prayers at Khardung La, and expanding accessibility by including Hindi content on the official Tathagata website.
Endorsing the suggestions, Saxena stressed coordinated efforts to ensure a seamless and world-class experience for devotees. Calling the exposition a historic occasion, he directed authorities to ensure meticulous planning and active cooperation from monastic institutions.
He also ordered decorative illumination of landmarks such as Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo and the Leh Main Market to create a festive atmosphere, alongside enhanced digital outreach via social media.
Highlighting Ladakh’s potential, the Lieutenant Governor said the event offers a unique opportunity to position the Union Territory as a global spiritual and wellness destination. He further emphasised robust security measures, including CCTV surveillance, along with adequate drinking water and public facilities.
The sacred relics are scheduled to arrive in Leh on April 29 with a grand ceremonial reception. The 2569th Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on May 1 at Jivetsal, followed by public exposition from May 2 to May 9.
The relics will then be taken to Zanskar for veneration on May 11 and 12, before being displayed at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar on May 13 and 14, and finally returned to Delhi on May 15.
Parallel events will include exhibitions of Buddhist artefacts at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies and Leh Palace, along with meditation sessions, yoga programmes and medical camps at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre. Interfaith dialogues, seminars, film screenings on Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, and lectures—including a talk on “Modern Science and Buddhism” by Geshe Namdak—will also form part of the programme.
