Dalai Lama arrives in Sikkim, accorded warm reception

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama arrived in the State capital today on a three-day visit to Sikkim after a gap of 13 years.

His Holiness was extended a gracious reception upon his touch down at the Libing Army Helipad in Gangtok by Tibetan representatives, HE Korchen Rinpoche, HE Lachung Rinpoche and HE Gonjang Rinpoche, Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang, Madam Krishna Rai, Mr Arun Kumar Upreti, Speaker, SLA, Mr V.B Pathak, IAS, Chief Secretary, Mr A.K Singh, IPS, Director General of Police, Mr R. Telang, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Major General Amit Kabhtiyal, GOC.

Senior Sikkim state government officials and representatives from the Tibetan Parliament, Tibetan Settlement Office and Local Tibetan Assembly were also present to greet the revered spiritual leader.

The visit holds special significance, with the Dalai Lama set to impart teachings on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of a Boddhisattva at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok tomorrow

Following his reception at the helipad, monks from various monasteries of the State orchestrated a traditional Buddhist ritual of dance and prayer known as 'Sherbang', amidst an atmosphere charged with spiritual energy.

As the motorcade of His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed from Libing Helipad en route to Denzong Regency, devotees eagerly lined up along the path, yearning for a glimpse of the revered spiritual leader and seeking his blessings.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be giving one-day teaching on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of a Boddhisattava (Laklen Sodunma) on Monday morning at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok and will also be virtually laying the foundation stones of Karmapa Park project at Rumtek and Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo Statue project at Simmik Khamdong constituency, Gangtok district.

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