Dalai Lama likely to attend Kumbh Mela in Allahabad

Lucknow, Jan 7: Official sources said on Monday that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is likely to visit the Kumbh Mela this year. The Mela is scheduled to begin in the Sangam city of Allahabad on Jan 14.

Sources in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said the spiritual leader was invited by the Parishad's international officiating president Praveen Bhai Togadia and the former's office had accepted the invitation.

The Dalai Lama is expected to arrive in Allahabad on Jan 14, the day of Makar Sankranti when the 55-day-long Mela will be formally inaugurated. Millions are expected to take bath on the inaugural day. Seers from various other religions have also been invited to the Kumbh, VHP sources said.

The Dalai Lama was in Varanasi on Sunday to give sermons at Sarnath, where Lord Buddha had given his first sermon. The discourse will go on till Jan 10 and will be attended by over 25,000 people. The spiritual leader will stay for another three days in Varanasi before starting for Allahabad, official sources said.

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