Prayers mark Dalai Lama’s 83rd birthday celebrations
Special prayers were held in this mountainous district of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir for the long-life of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who turned 83 on Friday.
Large crowds donning traditional dresses began to assemble since morning at the Shewatsel Phodrang complex on the outskirts of Leh for the celebrations.
The Dalai Lama, revered by the Tibetans as a “living god”, attended the prayers and blessed the gathering.
“This time again His Holiness decided to celebrate his birthday with the people of Leh,” a spokesperson for the Dalai Lama’s office said.
Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay also attended the celebrations here.
Officials of the Dalai Lama’s office said the spiritual leader would stay in Shewatsel Phodrang in Leh till the end of July.
“I am very happy to be here once more,” the Dalai Lama told the gathering on reaching here on Tuesday. “I seem to be physically fit and if that continues I hope to spend some time here, avoiding the monsoon on the plains. You people of Ladakh have a special bond with me based on your faith and loving-kindness, of which I am very appreciative,” he added.
During his stay in Leh, he would participate in religious ceremonies, conduct meditational retreats and deliver teachings. His sermons on ethics, nonviolence, peace and religious harmony have made him one of the 20th century’s most revered spiritual leaders.
Born on July 6, 1935, at Taktser hamlet in northeastern Tibet, the Dalai Lama was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.