IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Indian Community in Dharamsala offers longlife-puja for His Holiness the Dalai lama

Dharamsala 16th April: The local Indian residents of Dharamsala town voluntarily organize and perform two days of long life prayers in an Indian tradition for His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 15th and 16th April consecutively.

The auspicious long life prayer is performed in a typical Hindu tradition at Tsuglag khang, the main temple in Dharamsala from morning 10 o’ clock onwards. The renowned Priests from the popular Hindu pilgrimage site Haridwar conducts the traditional Hindu’s fire puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life and prosperity while His Holiness graced the special prayer.

The Long-Life Puja is being jointly organized by Indo-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, Taxi Union of McLeod Ganj, Bagsu and Dharamsala, McLeod Auto Union, McLeod Ganj Beopar Mandal, Gorkha Association and local Pradhans of Village Panchayats of surrounding areas of Dharamsala. The auspicious prayer is also supported by various other local organizations in the town.
“It is a long life prayer offering from the Indian people in and around Dharamsala,” says Mr. Ram Swaroop, the former President and the current advisor to ISFT

“His Holiness turned 73 this Losar (Tibetan New Year), and according to Tibetan lunar calendar while Tibetans believe it as an obstacle period in one’s life. So, we the Indian friends express our unflinching support, solidarity and concern with Tibetans for the wellbeing and longevity of His Holiness,” said Mr. Ram.

Tibetans around the globe have been voluntarily holding mass prayers on auspicious occasions for the wellbeing and longevity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama who is not just a reverend leader of Tibetans but is also reverend omniscient being of the Buddha of Compassion according to faithful Tibetans. Unlike other leaders the Tibetan people have been sharing the sacred disciple and the spiritual teacher’s relationship with successive Dalai Lama’s of Tibet for over many centuries.

“We deeply honour His Holiness the Dalai Lama and we are blessed by His Holiness’ holy presence here in Dharamsala,” says Mr. Ram Swaroop “And we are obliged to hold this special puja for His Holiness’ long life,” he adds.

“Indian people from all walks of life belonging to different parts of Dharamsala have been attending the two days’ of special puja. Besides, I am overwhelmed to see hundreds of Tibetans and global tourists who also participated in this special prayer,” notes Mr. Ram.
According to Mr. Ram, a joint organizing committee has been formed for the event and a retired High Court Judge of Himachal Pradesh state has been in the town to oversee the work. Dharamsala Taxi Union arranges community lunch during the puja.