The spiritual town of Dharamshala came alive with devotion, colour, and celebration ahead of the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined hundreds of devotees in Dharamshala on Saturday, a day ahead of the 90th birthday of His Holiness Dalai Lama.
They were among the notable dignitaries who attended the celebrations at the Tsuglagkhang Temple, the official residence of the Dalai Lama.
Welcomed with traditional Tibetan warmth, both Rijiju and Khandu offered their respects and birthday greetings to the Nobel Peace Laureate, who has become a global symbol of peace and resilience.
Taking to X, CM Pema Khandu said, “A special day in Dharamshala, where people from all walks of life came together for the Long Life Offering (Tenshug) to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. With heartfelt prayers, traditional offerings were made, each reflecting the deep gratitude, love, and hope. The atmosphere was warm and moving, as young and old came together in a shared prayer for His Holiness’s well-being.”
May His Holiness be blessed with good health, a long life, and continued strength to guide and inspire humanity with his wisdom, compassion, and unwavering message of peace, Khandu added.
“Attended the Long Life Offering Ceremony for His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama at The Main Temple (Tsukglagkhang) at McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. Humbled to receive his blessings during this sacred occasion,” Union Minister Rijiju posted on X.
Although the Dalai Lama officially turns 90 on July 6 (as per the Gregorian calendar), the celebrations began earlier, on June 30, in alignment with the Tibetan lunar calendar. The week-long festivities are being marked with ritual prayers, cultural performances, and community gatherings, centred around the Tsuglagkhang complex in Kangra district.
The Dalai Lama’s birthday, celebrated on July 6, is not just a personal milestone, but a spiritual event in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar.
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It marks the birth of one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is considered a living embodiment of compassion, wisdom, and non-violence.
The celebration is a reminder of spiritual values and the Dalai Lama’s teaching of inner peace, mindfulness, and harmony in today’s fast-paced world.
