Dalai Lama Returns to Dharamshala After Two-Month Ladakh Stay

Dalai Lama returns to Dharamshala after over two months' sojourn in Ladakh

Dharamshala, September 4

Hundreds of Tibetans gathered at the Kangra airport to extend a warm welcome to the spiritual leader as he arrived.

Members of the Tibetan and Indian communities performed traditional dances and opera, while prayers were also offered to mark his return.

Dolma Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said the community was delighted to welcome the Dalai Lama back to Dharamshala.

Speaking to ANI, Tsering said, "We are very happy. The weather is also very pleasant. This is such a joyous day today. We are here to welcome His Holiness. He is coming back after spending over two months in Ladakh. He is in the best of health and attended lots of events there."

Tibetan Youth Congress General Secretary Tenzin Lobsang said that Tibetans and residents in Dharamsala are filled with joy.

"People are here with the joy to welcome back His Holiness the Dalai Lama after maybe three months. After his knee surgery, and after his kind of rest and meetings and prayers in Ladakh. Then, after almost three months after that, he's coming back to Dharamsala. So in Dharamsala, Tibetans as well as Indian locals are joy with full of happiness today to welcome him back in Dharamsala," Lobsang said.

An artist, Kartik, said that it was a matter of great privilege to welcome the Dalai Lama, adding that people are filled with joy as he returns.

He said he continues to spread the message of peace and non-violence.

"We are here to welcome the Dalai Lama, and it's a matter of great privilege for us to have the opportunity to welcome him. We will welcome him with songs and dances. In our lives, he gives the message of peace; he is a symbol of non-violence. People come from far and wide to see him. He has been living here in Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj, for a very long time," Kartik said.

Another artist, Priyanka, said they were extremely happy to see the Dalai Lama and described the opportunity to welcome him as a great privilege.

"He is returning from Ladakh now, and he is very important to us. His teachings and many other things... It's a matter of great privilege for us just to see him and to welcome him," she said.

The Dalai Lama had travelled to Delhi earlier in June, where he underwent knee surgery. He later travelled to Ladakh, where he attended several public events, including prayer gatherings and teaching sessions, during his stay.

His return has brought a sense of joy among the Tibetan community in Dharamshala, with people expressing happiness at having him back among them.

Artists from the Indian and Tibetan communities also expressed their happiness at welcoming the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama's return to Dharamshala was marked by traditional performances, prayers and an enthusiastic gathering of members of the Tibetan community.

— ANI