*Over 1.18 lakh devotees pay obeisance
Excelsior Correspondent
Leh, May 14: The Sacred Exposition of the Holy Buddha Relics in Ladakh, concluded today with people from all walks of life turning up at the Dharma Centre to pay their final respects to Lord Buddha.
Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, attended the closing ceremony of the 14-day Sacred Grand Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tath?gata at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar.
The concluding ceremony coincided with the sacred Monlam Chenmo, the annual Great Prayer Festival of Ladakh, dedicated to world peace and universal happiness, which was also the theme of this Exposition. The Great Prayer Festival witnessed the participation of thousands of monks, nuns, venerable Rinpoches and devotees. Sacred mask dance, or Chhams were performed by the monks on the occasion.
Overall, the Sacred Exposition witnessed an overwhelming response from devotees across Ladakh, different parts of India and abroad, with more than 1,18,000 devotees paying obeisance to the holy relics during the fourteen-day exposition, making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings ever organised in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena said that the exposition was not only a deep spiritual occasion but also a symbol of cultural unity and harmony. He stated that the land of Ladakh appeared blessed by Lord Buddha himself and that the spiritual energy generated during the exposition would remain with the people forever.
The Lieutenant Governor said that religious leaders, monks, historians, scholars, researchers, pilgrims and tourists from different parts of India and abroad participated in the exposition, transforming Ladakh into a global spiritual destination.
“The sacred relics of Lord Buddha will return tomorrow to the National Museum in Delhi, but their blessings will remain here forever. Let us together establish Ladakh at the global level as a centre of peace, contemplation and spiritual awakening,” LG said.
Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche mentioned that the people of Ladakh are fortunate to get the opportunity to seek the blessings of the sacred relics of Tathagata Buddha and expressed his gratitude to the Government of India, Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena and all the concerned agencies and organisations for making the event a grand success.
LBA President Chering Dorjey Lakruk, LGA President Ven Dorjey Stanzin, Ven Sanghasena from MIMC, heads of religious, political and social organisations, along with a large number of people, attended the closing ceremony.
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