Mandi, India February 28 – Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from home and abroad have converged on the banks of the Rewalsar lake to take part in the two-day Tsechu Fair — the Buddhist Kumbh beginning from tomorrow — which is being celebrated after 12 years. Devotees from Germany, Japan, France, Bhutan and other countries are reaching here for the celebrations.
Dalai Lama will inaugurate the Tsechu Fair at 1.15 p.m. by lighting a lamp and cutting the ribbon at the entrance gate of the Rewalsar lake. Himachal Pradesh Governor V.S. Kokje will accompany the Dalai Lama.
The fair is being celebrated for centuries by Buddhist devotees to commemorate the birthday of their guru, Padama Sambhava, on the 10th of the first month of every new year, according to the Tibetan Calendar (10th of Dawa Thangpo).
Padama Sambhava came to Tibet from Nepal and preached Buddhism there in 747 AD. He meditated for many years on the banks of the sacred lake.
According to Nagar Panchayat Rewalsar, about 5000 devotees have arrived there and more than 50,000 are expected to join the celebrations. All hotels in Mandi and Rewalsar are occupied.
Mr A.R. Rizvi, District Commissioner, says a temporary colony equipped with basic amenities has been set up and security has been beefed up. On his arrival here tomorrow, Dalai Lama will garland the statute of Mahatama Gandhi around 10 a.m.
