Leh, 15 May (H.S.): The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha were accorded an emotional farewell at Leh Airport on Friday after the conclusion of a 14-day-long grand exposition in Ladakh, during which more than 1.18 lakh devotees paid obeisance to the holy relics, making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings organised in the Union Territory.

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena attended the farewell ceremony, which witnessed participation from people from different walks of life.

“Joined the people of Ladakh in bidding an emotional farewell to the holy relics of the Tathagata, as it departed from Ladakh after a memorable 14-day exposition, with a ceremonial guard of honour at Leh Airport,” the lieutenant governor said in a post on X.

He said the sacred days transformed Ladakh into a land of prayer, compassion and spiritual awakening. “From monasteries to remote villages and from mountainous terrains to bustling markets, the entire Ladakh resonated with devotion, peace and reverence,” he said.

Saxena expressed hope that the teachings of Lord Buddha would continue to unite humanity beyond borders and differences, and foster peace, compassion, harmony and brotherhood across the world.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every single individual involved with this historic exposition, whose dedication and untiring efforts made it a grand success,” he added.

The 14-day exposition concluded on Thursday with thousands of devotees gathering at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar to pay their final respects to the relics.

The arrival of the holy relics in Leh on April 29 had evoked an emotional response, with thousands of residents dressed in traditional attire lining the roads from Leh Airport to Jivetsal to welcome the relics.

The relics were formally inaugurated for public exposition on May 1 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jivetsal in Leh.

Shah had spent two days in Ladakh during the inauguration ceremonies. Several dignitaries attended the exposition, including Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Thailand, members of parliament, senior Buddhist leaders, monks, scholars and international pilgrims.

Officials said the relics remained on public display at Jivetsal for nine days before being taken to Karsha Gonpa in Zanskar on May 11 and 12.

Special prayers, cultural programmes, conferences and spiritual activities were organised during the exposition. The concluding ceremony coincided with the sacred Monlam Chenmo, the annual Great Prayer Festival of Ladakh dedicated to world peace and universal happiness.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar