Overview

• The ceremony in Leh drew monks, nuns, religious leaders, members of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and local dignitaries.
• Traditional Ladakhi music and ceremonial khattak offerings framed the solemn foundation-laying ritual.
• The 1957 temple had developed flood-induced cracks and other damage, necessitating its comprehensive reconstruction.
• The Dalai Lama emphasized that the new Vihara must be a centre for deep Buddhist philosophy and debate rather than ritual alone.
• His earlier July 25 Dharma discourse at Karsha Phodrang attracted about 21,000 attendees and set the stage for today’s reconstruction event.