Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh: Thousands of devotees from across Ladakh gathered at Jivetsal on Saturday as the public exposition and veneration of the sacred relics of Gautama Buddha entered its eighth day, turning the venue into a major centre of spiritual devotion and prayer. Nearly 7,000 devotees, including a large number of visitors from the Kargil region, participated in the holy occasion throughout the day to pay homage and seek blessings from the sacred relics. The site remained crowded from morning till evening, reflecting the deep spiritual significance attached to the relics among the Buddhist community. The day’s religious prayers and ceremonial offerings…

Leh: In a major step towards strengthening urban public transport infrastructure in the Union Territory, the administration has approved the construction of 30 smart bus shelters in Leh that will combine modern passenger amenities with Ladakh’s traditional architectural heritage. Announcing the project, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena said the upcoming bus shelters are designed to provide climate-resilient, eco-friendly and commuter-friendly infrastructure suited to the harsh weather conditions of the high-altitude region. According to the LG, the “Gonpa-inspired” smart bus shelters will integrate advanced mobility features with the unique aesthetic elements of traditional Ladakhi architecture. The shelters are expected…

LEH, May 4: A delegation from Kukshow and Pacharik villages of the newly constituted Sham district on Monday called on former Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, seeking continued support for development and administrative strengthening in the region. The delegation, comprising representatives of Junu Thundel Tsogspa, Kukshow Culture Preservation Society and Pacharik Tsogspa, also included Dr. Kunzes Dolma, Ambassador for Women in Geothermal (India) and a member of the High Power Committee. During the interaction, the members expressed gratitude to Namgyal for his consistent advocacy for the creation of Sham district, recalling his efforts in raising the demand in Parliament.…

Leh: The Leh Apex Body has formally accepted the resignation of its Chairman, Thupstan Chhewang, bringing an end to his tenure marked by both leadership and recent internal differences within the group. According to an official press release issued by the People’s Movement for 6th Schedule for Ladakh, the decision follows a series of differences of opinion between Chhewang and other members of the Apex Body. These disagreements reportedly surfaced during key high-level meetings, including representations made before the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh and the Union Home Minister. The statement also noted that Chhewang had been unable to attend crucial…

Leh, May 4: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday called on Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil in New Delhi and discussed a range of ongoing water conservation initiatives in the Union Territory, with a special focus on long-term water security. During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor briefed the Minister about the recently launched “Him Sarovar” project, which aims to harvest snowmelt to address water scarcity in Ladakh’s high-altitude regions. The Minister appreciated the initiative and assured full Central support to strengthen such efforts. The LG expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for approving Central assistance of…

Leh, May 2: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday described his visit to Ladakh as spiritually enriching and culturally inspiring, expressing hope that the sacred exposition of the Holy Relics of Gautama Buddha would also be brought to Arunachal Pradesh. During his visit to Leh, Khandu had the darshan of the Holy Relics of Gautama Buddha and called it a moment of “immense pride and profound spiritual joy” as the revered Piprahwa Relics reached the land of Ladakh, filling the region with devotion and peace. He said Arunachal Pradesh, with its deep-rooted Buddhist heritage, is ready to host…

Leh/Jammu: ) The Department of Posts in Jammu and Kashmir Postal Circle on Saturday released a special cover to commemorate the grand exposition of the holy relics of the Tathagata Buddha at Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the exposition of the holy relics of Tathagata Buddha and the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations in Leh during his two-day visit to Ladakh. Officials said the special cover was unveiled at a function organised by the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh at Jivetsal in the Choglamsar area. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu…

Leh, May 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed immense delight over the inauguration of the ‘Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata’ in Leh on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, calling it a significant spiritual and cultural moment for Ladakh. In a message shared after the inauguration, the Prime Minister said the revered relics, linked to the historic Piprahwa Stupa in Kapilavastu and excavated in the closing years of the nineteenth century, embody the timeless teachings of Lord Buddha. He said the exposition offers a rare and valuable opportunity for people across Ladakh to pay their respects…

Leh, May 2: A massive wave of devotion swept through Jivetsal in Leh as nearly 11,000 visitors and devotees gathered on the second day of the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Buddha Relics, creating an extraordinary spiritual atmosphere across the town. People from Nubra, Durbuk, and several remote parts of Ladakh travelled long distances to pay their respects to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha. Since early morning, long yet शांत and disciplined queues of devotees could be seen stretching across the open grounds of Jivetsal and spilling onto the main approach road. Despite the biting cold winds of Ladakh,…

Leh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Buddha Purnima will be a historic occasion for Ladakh as the sacred relics of Lord Buddha will be made available for public darshan in the region. Sharing the update on social media, Shah said the people of Ladakh will get an opportunity to pay their respects to the holy relics on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. He said he also feels fortunate to have the rare opportunity to seek darshan of the sacred relics. “To ensure that these sacred relics remain easily accessible for darshan by the people of Ladakh…

Leh, Apr 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah received a grand welcome upon his arrival in Leh on Thursday for a two-day visit to Ladakh, where he is scheduled to attend religious and official engagements linked to Buddha Purnima celebrations. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said it was an honour and pleasure to welcome the Home Minister on his arrival and highlighted the significance of the visit for the Union Territory. According to the LG, people from all walks of life, dressed in traditional attire, lined up outside the airport to accord a heartfelt welcome to the Home Minister,…

Pramod Jain, Rinchen Dolma Ladakh, a Union Territory in Northern India, was on the cusp of a significant transformation on August 26, 2024, when the Ministry of Home Affairs announced “in-principle approval” for creation of five new districts in the region namely, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. This historic move is expected to bring governance closer to people, fostering employment and development in the region. The new districts will not only improve the delivery of public services but also unlock a vast potential for the people of Ladakh, transforming it into a thriving and prosperous region. The decision to…

Leh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Ladakh on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the first-ever international exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha being held on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, marking a historic spiritual and administrative moment for the Union Territory. Ahead of his visit, Shah shared a message describing the occasion as a moment of “profound good fortune” and said he would be leaving for Ladakh to participate in the sacred event. “Tomorrow, I will be leaving for Ladakh for a two-day visit. It is a moment of profound good fortune for…

Leh, April 29: Days after the Union Territory Administration announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh, newly appointed Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police on Tuesday formally assumed charge in Changthang, Nubra, Sham, Zanskar and Drass, marking the beginning of administrative operations in the newly formed districts. The officers were accorded warm public receptions, ceremonial guard of honours by Ladakh Police, and traditional welcomes by local residents, officials, religious leaders and public representatives across the five districts. In Changthang, Nitish Rajora, IAS, assumed charge as Deputy Commissioner, while Abbas Jaffari, JKPS, joined as Superintendent of Police. They were…

Leh, April 27: Former Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of BJP-led LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, on Monday said that the formal notification for the newly announced districts of Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang is likely to be issued soon following his meeting with Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena. Gyalson called on the Lieutenant Governor at Lok Niwas and held a detailed discussion regarding the immediate notification and operationalisation of the five new districts, which were announced in 2024 to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in Ladakh’s remote and far-flung areas. He said the creation of…

Leh, April 24: PWD Secretary Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary on Friday directed officials to accelerate infrastructure works across Ladakh, stressing strict monitoring, timely completion, and better financial accountability while reviewing the Annual Action Plan under the State Development Plan (SDP)/State Sector Plan for 2026–27. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Public Works (R&B) Department and allied agencies, the Administrative Secretary reviewed a wide range of ongoing and proposed development projects across the Union Territory and called for focused attention on strategically important regions including Nyoma, Nubra, Zanskar, Khaltsi, Drass and Changthang. Expressing concern over delays in the construction of the auditorium at…

Leh, April 24: On the directions of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, a major beautification drive has been launched across Leh Municipal Area to transform the historic town into a clean, vibrant and welcoming destination ahead of the Sacred Exposition of Holy Buddha Relics scheduled from May 2 to 14. With Leh preparing to host thousands of Buddhist devotees, dignitaries and tourists during the sacred exposition, the city has started taking on a festive look as large-scale efforts are underway to enhance its aesthetic appeal and improve the visitor experience. The Lieutenant Governor has specifically directed the beautification…

Leh, April 24: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the new Sound and Light Show at the historic Leh Palace, marking a major step towards promoting cultural and heritage tourism in Ladakh. The project, implemented by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) under the Ministry of Tourism at a cost of Rs 8.57 crore, is aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, promoting night tourism and strengthening the local economy. Leh Palace, one of Ladakh’s most iconic heritage sites, was built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal and…

Leh : India has made a remarkable debut on the global dairy stage, with four Indian products winning medals at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026, an international competition for cheese and dairy products. The achievement has brought special attention to Ladakh’s emerging artisanal dairy sector. Among the winners, Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie Style) earned the prestigious Super Gold medal, marking the highest honour for India at the competition. The Gold medals were secured by Yak Churpi – Soft, Nordic Farm, Leh (Ladakh) and Eleftheria Brunost (Whey Cheese), while Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle Style) received a Silver medal. Celebrating…

Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra’s firm directive against unauthorised checkpoints by transport unions in Leh is both timely and necessary. In a region where tourism is the backbone of the economy, even minor disruptions can leave a lasting negative impression on visitors. By clearly stating that law and order is the exclusive domain of the police, the administration has drawn a much-needed line between regulation and overreach. Transport unions, including taxi and biker groups, have long played an important role in organising local mobility and ensuring equitable distribution of work. The token system, for instance, reflects an attempt to maintain fairness…