Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Leh on Thursday to attend the first-ever international exposition of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, marking a significant spiritual and cultural event in the Union Territory of Ladakh. His visit comes ahead of Buddha Purnima, during which devotees from India and abroad are expected to participate in the religious observances.

Upon arrival at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Shah was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena along with senior officials from the civil administration and police. The visit is scheduled to span two days, during which the Home Minister will participate in key religious and developmental programmes across the region.

A major highlight of the visit will be Shah’s participation in the international exposition of Lord Buddha’s holy relics, which is being held for the first time on such a global scale. The sacred Piprahwa relics, recently brought to Leh by Buddhist monks from Matho Monastery, are expected to be venerated by devotees and spiritual leaders from various parts of the world. The event is being seen as a major moment of religious significance for the Buddhist community.

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The exposition, which begins on May 1 and continues for the first two weeks of the month, is expected to attract large numbers of pilgrims and visitors. Authorities have described the event as a rare spiritual occasion that highlights Ladakh’s cultural and religious importance. Shah himself described his participation as a “moment of profound good fortune” in a post on social media, noting the global participation in the veneration of the relics.

In addition to the religious programme, the Union Home Minister is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a 10 TLPD (thousand litres per day) dairy plant in Kargil. He will also take part in other development-related initiatives aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting local livelihoods in the region. The visit comes shortly after administrative changes in Ladakh, including the announcement of new districts and appointments of key officials. Authorities have stated that these steps are intended to improve governance and ensure faster implementation of development projects across the Union Territory.

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