One of the 19 stupas constructed with Lord Buddha's relics sent by Emperor Ashoka to China has been discovered in this isolated Tibetan town, and it has been repaired with religious ceremonies by an Indian monk, serving as a symbol of the introduction of Buddhism from India to China.

On Tuesday, Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual leader of the Ladakhi-based Drukpa lineage of Buddhism, traveled to the Chinese province of Qinghai, which borders Tibet Autonomous Region, to consecrate a newly refurbished stupa, Ashoka pillar, and a massive golden statue of Buddha.

After Lord Buddha's cremation more than 2,500 years ago, his disciples reportedly recovered one skull bone, two scapulas, four teeth, and 84,000 sariras (relics) in the shape of pearls.

All of Sakyamuni's saris were reportedly gathered by Emperor Ashoka, who then kept them in pagoda-shaped temples before sending them to various locations around the globe.

Nineteen of them, including the one in Nangchen, are said to have been sent to China, but most of them have collapsed owing to neglect and natural causes.

The Chinese towns of Xian and Nanjing, as well as the area of Ayuwang in Zhejiang Province, are home to three other stupas of this type.

The Nangchen stupa is the earliest Tibetan religious structure to be uncovered. Ashoka also despatched another 15 people to China, but what became of them is a mystery.

White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, was constructed in Luoyang in 68 AD by Chinese monk Xuanzan after he returned from a 17-year journey to India. The Stupa represents Ashoka's efforts to propagate Buddhism over the world.

Between the renovated structure and the Stupa, which, according to the monks, was saved by the villagers during the Mongol invasions and Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, stands a pillar with an ancient inscription.

According to one monk, the original Stupa was preserved by the villagers by having them construct hundreds of smaller stupas that were then moved to the new temple. The temple's main stupa was surrounded by more than 300 little stupas.

A large number of Tibetan Buddhist monks and locals saw its restoration, marking a return of Buddhist religious ties between India and China in the Himalayan region, which had been severed after the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959.

"The inauguration of the Ashoka stupa in Nangchen is a historic moment for followers of Buddha everywhere. It is a testament to the greatness of Emperor Ashoka who is considered to be the architect of Buddhism in the world," Gyalwang Drukpa said.

"For India and China, this is represents a new area of informal engagement after the initiatives indicated by Prime Minister Modi and the positive response he has received from the Chinese leadership," according to him.