Amit Shah on Friday said that Ladakh represents far more than just a geographic region, calling it a “living laboratory” of Buddhist culture and compassion. He noted that India’s civilisation has long carried the message of peace, with knowledge and spiritual traditions carefully preserved in the region over centuries.

Speaking at the Holy Relics Exposition and Cultural Ceremony on the occasion of Buddha Purnima in Leh, Shah recalled how the Dalai Lama has described the land as a center of living Buddhist values. He emphasized that Ladakh has safeguarded wisdom and spiritual heritage while India has continued to promote harmony for thousands of years.

Shah also highlighted the special significance of this year’s Buddha Purnima, as sacred Buddhist relics have returned to Ladakh after a gap of 75 years. He pointed out that in the past, limited connectivity and lack of infrastructure in the mountainous region meant only a few people could witness these relics or experience their spiritual essence.

He added that the situation has changed dramatically, and with improved accessibility, people from Ladakh, Kargil, and beyond will now have the opportunity to draw inspiration and spiritual strength from the relics. According to him, their arrival on the auspicious occasion of Vaishakh Purnima will allow followers of Buddhism as well as people of other faiths to experience a sense of divinity.

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, marks the birth of Gautam Buddha. It is believed that his birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana all occurred on the same full moon day of the Baisakh month in the lunar calendar. Born to King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi, Buddha renounced royal life at the age of 29 in search of truth and is widely revered as the “Light of Asia.”