Leh, Apr 18: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathagata Buddha in Ladakh.
In the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor directed all departments to expedite preparations, ensure the cleanliness of venues and surrounding areas, remove debris, and intensify drives to manage stray animals. He also reviewed infrastructure readiness, including sanitation, power supply, and availability of toilets and drinking water.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed the incorporation of suggestions from stakeholders, including the provision of shuttle services for elderly devotees, decorative lighting and lighting of lamps, installation of prayer flags, and beautification of key routes, to enhance the overall experience.
Reiterating the importance of coordination and commitment, the Lieutenant Governor called upon all stakeholders to work collectively to ensure the successful conduct of this spiritually significant and globally important event.
Since assuming office, the Lieutenant Governor has been personally monitoring the preparations through a series of meetings with venerable Rinpoches, religious leaders, government officials, stakeholders, and other concerned departments to ensure the successful and grand organisation of the exposition. These continuous engagements reflect the Administration’s commitment to providing a seamless, enriching, and spiritually fulfilling experience for devotees from Ladakh, across India, and abroad.
In a proactive step, the Lieutenant Governor also visited Jivetsal—the main venue for the Buddha Purnima celebrations—along with representatives from the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre to assess on-the-ground arrangements and issue necessary directions.
As scheduled, the sacred relics are expected to arrive in Leh on April 29 and will be welcomed with a grand ceremony. The 2569th Buddha Purnima will be celebrated on May 1 at Jivetsal, followed by public exposition of the relics from May 2 to May 9. The relics will then be taken to Zanskar on May 11 and 12, and subsequently displayed at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar on May 13 and 14, before returning to Delhi on May 15.
In addition to the main exposition, a series of parallel events will be organised across Ladakh. These include exhibitions of Buddhist artefacts and scriptures at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies and Leh Palace, meditation and yoga sessions, medical health camps, and interfaith dialogues at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre.
Major conferences and seminars on themes such as International Conference on Himalayan Buddhism, Peace in Times of Conflict, and the Past, Present and Future of Buddhism in Ladakh will also be held.
Highlighting the broader vision, Saxena stated that the event presents a unique opportunity to position Ladakh as a global hub for spiritual tourism and wellness. He stressed the importance of robust security arrangements, adequate public amenities, drinking water facilities, and the installation of CCTV cameras to ensure the safety and comfort of devotees.
