Sacred Piprahwa relics displayed in India for the first time during a major international exposition
April 30, 2026: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Ladakh on Thursday to attend the first-ever international exposition of the holy relics of Gautama Buddha in India. He was welcomed by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh with full ceremonial honours. During his two-day visit, Shah will pay homage to the sacred relics on Buddha Purnima and lay the foundation stone for a dairy plant in Kargil.
In a post on X, Shah called his participation a moment of “profound good fortune,” highlighting that devotees from across the world would gather to venerate the relics. The sacred Piprahwa relics were transported to Leh aboard a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force by monks from Matho Monastery. Their arrival was marked by a grand reception, with locals lining the streets to offer prayers and pay respect.
The Piprahwa relics, discovered in present-day Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border, are associated with ancient remains of the Buddha and hold immense spiritual and historical value. Their significance has grown further after related artefacts were repatriated to India in 2025, ending over a century of overseas possession. The relics, previously exhibited in countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, will be open for public viewing in Ladakh from May 2 to 14 at multiple locations before being returned to Delhi.