Jammu, April 30 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Leh on Thursday for a two-day visit during which he will attend the first-ever international exposition of the holy relics of Lord Buddha in India, commencing on Buddha Purnima. Advocate Tashi Gyalson, former chairman and chief executive councillor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, said, "It is maiden visit of the home minister after Ladakh became a UT in 2019. He is coming here to pay obeisance to Buddha relics on Thursday and then take part in Buddha Purnima celebrations on Friday before returning to New Delhi." Earlier during the day, the holy Piprahwa relics of Tathagatha Buddha arrived in Leh on Wednesday. This marks the beginning of marking a rare and significant spiritual occasion in the Union Territory of Ladakh with an exposition for the public to be held in the first two weeks of May. The sacred relics were accorded a ceremonial reception on arrival, as people poured out of their homes and gathered along the roads to pay respect. The relics, brought from Delhi by Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche and Khenpo Thinlas Chosal of Matho Monastery in a special air force aircraft, were received by the LG in the presence of prominent religious and public figures, including Khamtak Rinpoche, Rigyal Rinpoche, president Ladakh Gonpa Association Ven. Dorje Stanzin, president Ladakh Buddhist Association Chering Dorjey Lakruk, former members of Parliament Thupstan Chewang and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, former CEC LAHDC Leh Tashi Gyalson, and representatives of various social, religious and political organisations. Traditional performances, ceremonial honours and sacred rituals marked the reception ceremony. Piprahwa relics refer to ancient sacred remains and associated objects linked to Gautama Buddha, discovered at Piprahwa, an archaeological site in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, near the Nepal border. The Ladakh Police accorded a ceremonial guard of honour, while monks performed special prayers. Following the ceremonial reception, the relics were taken in a grand procession to Jivetsal, the designated venue for public exposition, beginning May 1, which marks the 2569th Buddha Purnima. The Piprahwa relics have previously been exhibited in countries such as Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia, Singapore, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, attracting global attention and devotion, according to a statement....