Dalai Lama gets grand reception in Leh

Leh, Aug 10 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived on a 20-days visit to Leh in Kashmir on Sunday.

The Dalai Lama was welcomed by a number of dignitaries, including state Chief Ministermar Abdullah.

A large number of people lined the road leading to Jivetsal Choklamsar, a summer resort of the Dalai Lama.

"His holiness is again among us and has come to Ladakh after visiting Dharamsala and Delhi.

All people, especially Buddhists feel that they are very fortunate to see him again," said Geshe Konchok Namgyal, a Buddhist scholar.

The convoy of vehicle was surrounded by a parallel chain of people, all dressed up in traditional attire and carrying Phogs (incenses), Khataks (traditional white stole) and flowers.

Numerous school children in tidy uniform held Khataks (traditional white stole) in their folded hands and welcomed the Dalai Lama.

"His Holiness represents peace for us. He comes here every year. We feel peace in the air after his arrival said Tashi Morup, a journalist.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers ever since they fled from their homeland after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

In 1950, the Chinese troops marched into Tibet and occupied it.

An estimated 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, a majority of them in India and Nepal. (ANI)