New Delhi: Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has described the upcoming Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathagata in Ladakh as a landmark initiative, highlighting its potential to promote global peace and spiritual harmony.
Speaking at the curtain raiser held at the National Museum, New Delhi, the minister noted that, for the first time in India, sacred relics of Gautama Buddha preserved in their original repository will be displayed for public viewing.
He said the exposition would serve as a powerful platform to spread the message of non-violence, compassion, and inner awakening, values that remain highly relevant in today’s uncertain global environment.
Emphasising the importance of Ladakh as a key centre of Buddhist heritage, Shekhawat said the event is expected to significantly boost cultural tourism in the region while offering visitors a rare opportunity for spiritual engagement. He added that similar international showcases of Buddhist relics have drawn large global participation, strengthening India’s civilisational outreach.
The exposition will be held from May 1 to May 15, 2026, and is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Union Territory administration of Ladakh and the International Buddhist Confederation, according to an official statement.
The event is expected to see participation from international delegations, ambassadors, senior monks, union ministers, and chief ministers.
The 15-day programme will feature public veneration of the relics, ceremonial processions, and traditional rituals. A series of parallel events – including meditation sessions, yoga camps, cultural performances, exhibitions, and international conferences on Himalayan Buddhism – is also planned.
