SRINAGAR: The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, revered worldwide as the Buddhist spiritual leader and an apostle of peace, arrived in Leh on Sunday morning on a special Army flight from New Delhi to a rousing welcome by thousands of devotees and well-wishers.
The Dalai Lama landed at Leh Technical Airport at around 10 a.m. and was accorded a grand reception by senior religious, social and political leaders of Ladakh. Monks, nuns, students, members of the Tibetan community and local residents gathered outside the airport and along the route to greet the Buddhist leader.
Thousands of people lined both sides of the road from the airport to Jivetsal in Choglamsar, holding traditional khatags (ceremonial scarves), flowers and prayer offerings to welcome the Dalai Lama and seek his blessings as his motorcade passed.
Having recently undergone knee surgery in New Delhi, the Dalai Lama was escorted to his cavalcade in a wheelchair before beginning the drive to his residence, Shewatsel Phodrang, in Leh. He acknowledged the crowds by waving from inside his vehicle throughout the journey.
Among those who received the Dalai Lama were Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) President Chering Dorjay Lakrook, Vice President of the Ladakh Gonpa Association Geshe Lobzang Tashi, several Rinpoches, monks and nuns representing different monastic communities, leaders of various religious groups and hundreds of other dignitaries. Chering Dorjay later met the Dalai Lama at Shewatsel Phodrang and made traditional offerings.
Chering Dorjay said the Dalai Lama would remain in Ladakh for about two months, primarily to rest and recuperate following his recent knee surgery.
He said the schedule for the Dalai Lama’s public teachings has not yet been finalised and would be announced by the Office of the Dalai Lama once confirmed.
Preparations are also underway for the grand celebration of the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday on July 6 at the Jivetsal teaching ground in Leh. Since the Dalai Lama is in Ladakh, this year’s celebrations are expected to be particularly significant. However, Chering Dorjay said it has not yet been confirmed whether the Dalai Lama will personally attend the birthday celebrations.
The Ladakh Administration had been preparing for the visit for several weeks. Ladakh Police made elaborate arrangements for security, route management, crowd control, traffic regulation and logistical coordination to ensure the visit passed off smoothly.
The administration also undertook cleanliness and maintenance work at venues associated with the visit, including the Jivetsal teaching ground and the Dalai Lama’s residence. CCTV surveillance systems were installed at key locations, while vehicle passes and access control measures were put in place as part of the security arrangements.
