Dalai Lama on month-long Ladakh sojourn, will visit famous monasteries
Ladakh extended a warm welcome to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Saturday as he arrived for a month-long stay in the Union Territory.
The Dalai Lama, who departed from his residence in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh, earlier in the day, reached Leh in the afternoon aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft. This marks his first visit to Ladakh in two years.
A large number of people gathered in Leh to greet the 90-year-old spiritual leader, who recently celebrated his birthday. He will reside at Shiwa Tsel Phodrang during his stay.
A statement by Ladakh administration said thousands of people, including students, devotees and well-wishers, lined the roads from the airport to Jivetsal, Choglamsar, to offer a “grand and respectful welcome to His Holiness with traditional attire, ceremonial scarves and prayers.”
The Tibetan government-in-exile, based in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, confirmed his arrival on social media platform X, stating that the visit marks the beginning of his extended stay in the region.
In his address to the invited guests at Jivetsal Photang, the Dalai Lama reaffirmed the profound importance of “nurturing a heart full of compassion and kindness for the benefit of all sentient beings.”
He further urged the people of the Himalayan region to “uphold their sacred duty to protect, sustain and promote the rich legacy of Buddhist teachings and wisdom that once thrived in Tibet.”
Officials said the Dalai Lama will rest for a few days to acclimatise to Ladakh’s high altitude. During his stay, he is scheduled to deliver a series of public teachings and hold various meetings. He is also expected to visit Zanskar—a spiritually significant region home to many ancient monasteries.
In July 2024, the Dalai Lama had cancelled a planned visit to Ladakh due to knee surgery in the United States.
The Ladakh administration and police have made elaborate arrangements for his visit. On Friday, officials from the Leh district administration reviewed preparations at both the Dalai Lama’s residence and the teaching venue.
J & K