Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 8: The office of the foremost Buddhist leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has issued a detailed circular on Saturday outlining procedures for devotees wishing to receive blessings from the Tibetan spiritual leader during his upcoming stay at the Mundgod Tibetan Settlement in Karnataka. His Holiness is scheduled to arrive on December 12, 2025, and will remain in the settlement until at least the end of January 2026. During this period, several days of public blessing lines are expected to be arranged each week.
According to the announcement, devotees from different regions must follow specific documentation requirements and registration processes in order to participate in the audience and blessing lines. The office has urged all visitors to strictly comply with the guidelines to ensure smooth coordination and avoid complications related to travel permissions.
The circular states that Bhutanese, Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetans residing within the Indian subcontinent must send an email to dalailamainmundgod@gmail.com specifying the exact dates of their planned visit. Applicants are required to attach valid identification, including, Bhutanese Citizenship Card, Indian Aadhaar Card, and Nepal Nagrikta (citizenship) Card. The office emphasized that advance registration is mandatory due to the expected high number of visitors and limited capacity during the blessing sessions.
The announcement highlighted stricter requirements for all foreigners, including Tibetans and Himalayan region individuals residing abroad, who must email their visit details to dalailamainmundgod@email.com along with Passport, Valid Indian visa, and Protected Area Permit (PAP).
The PAP, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, must be obtained in advance through the official portal (https://papvt.mha.gov.in/#). The office issued a stern warning that foreigners without an approved PAP will not be allowed to join the blessing line and may even face detention for illegal entry into the protected Tibetan settlement area. The strict enforcement reflects Indian regulations governing access to Tibetan settlements designated as protected areas, especially for non-Indian nationals.
The circular also includes two Excel forms, with visitors instructed to fill out the form relevant to their nationality or residency status. Applicants are requested to return the completed form via email “as soon as possible” to facilitate timely processing.
While the exact schedule has yet to be released, the office indicated that a few days of public blessing lines will be arranged each week during His Holiness’ stay. Thousands of devotees traditionally travel to Mundgod, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India, when His Holiness visits, often resulting in large gatherings and high logistical demands. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s last extended stay in Mundgod attracted devotees from across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and abroad.
The Office of His Holiness has urged all visitors to carefully follow the instructions provided in the circular and ensure that all documentation, especially PAP for foreigners, is secured well in advance to avoid being turned away on arrival.
One Response
“The circular also includes two Excel forms, with visitors instructed to fill out the form relevant to their nationality or residency status”.
Where can we find these excel forms?