In 1959, His Holiness The Dalai Lama arrived in Mussoorie’s Birla House, Happy Valley. The first Tibetan settlement came up here and since then, in his wake followed some 11,000 Tibetans who have made Doon and its environ their home. As the ‘Man in Maroon‘ reaches the 83rd summer of his life tomorrow, his family in exile, be it monks, nuns, students, young and old will join in spirit to celebrate the life of their beloved Guru as he turns a year older.
For over 70 years and more, the valley, Mussoorie and its umpteen Tibetan establishments have held a special place in the heart and mind of the XIV Dalai Lama, who visits the region more often than naught.
It will be for the first time ever, Dekyiling youth under the patronage of Doon Buddhist Committee will be organising a program in Dehradun where the Tibetan community will turn out in their fineries to partake in a two hour celebrations with cake cutting, yak dance, snow lion dance including a special prayer for world peace and harmony at the Pacific Mall, Dehradun from 3:45 p.m. onwards tomorrow.
Talking to Newspost, Sherin Luding informs us, “Each year we celebrate His Holiness’s birthday in our homes and community and settlements. It is a very special day in our lives. This year what is different is that for the very first time, we shall be ringing in the birthday in public.’ What’s the special reason for making an exception this year? I ask. “His Holiness is an apostle of peace and universal brotherhood. We want to take his message to all. What better time, than on his birthday.”
While the world prays for the long, healthy life of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, we are no different, for it was in our neck of the woods, that he set-up his first ‘home-away-from home’ after an epic fifteen-day long trek from Lhasa, Tibet to Birla House, Mussoorie, India.
