Amit Shah inaugurates exposition of Lord Buddha's sacred relics in Leh on Buddha Purnima
Home Minister Amit Shah on 1 May 2026, Buddha Purnima, inaugurated the 'Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata' in Leh, bringing relics linked to the Piprahwa Stupa to Ladakh after 75 years; the exposition runs until 14 May and will also travel to Zanskar.
Summary
The 'Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata' was inaugurated in Leh by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 1 May 2026, Buddha Purnima, in the presence of Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. Shah said the relics had arrived in Ladakh after 75 years and described Ladakh's spiritual identity as shaped by four traditions — Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on 2 May that the relics are linked to the Piprahwa Stupa in Kapilavastu and were excavated in the closing years of the nineteenth century, and that the exposition will continue until 14 May and also travel to Zanskar.
Key facts
- Event
- Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata, Leh
- Inaugurated
- 1 May 2026 (Buddha Purnima) by Amit Shah
- Relics
- Linked to Piprahwa Stupa, Kapilavastu; excavated late 19th century
- Duration
- Until 14 May 2026; will also travel to Zanskar
- Ladakh's traditions
- Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The holy relics of Lord Buddha exhibited in Leh from 1 May 2026 are linked to which stupa?
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Correct answer: A — Piprahwa Stupa, Kapilavastu
PM Modi said the relics are linked to the Piprahwa Stupa in Kapilavastu and were excavated in the closing years of the nineteenth century.
Consider the following statements about the Buddha relics exposition in Leh inaugurated on 1 May 2026: 1. The exposition will continue until 14 May 2026. 2. The exposition will also travel to Zanskar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the exposition continues until 14 May and will also travel to Zanskar.
While inaugurating the relics exposition in Leh, Amit Shah named four traditions that shaped Ladakh's spiritual identity. Which of the following was NOT among them?
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Correct answer: D — Theravada
The four traditions named were Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug; Theravada was not among them.