Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, July 23: The office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has officially confirmed the Tibetan spiritual leader’s visit to Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh, in July, marking his return to the region after his last visit in 2023. The visit is seen as a boon to its Buddhist population as well as followers from different faith who view him as a uniting figure in the border Indian state.
The confirmation came through a letter from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama also known as Ganden Phodrang on June 21, addressed to Tsering Dorje, Chairman of the Ladakh Buddhist Association which stated the soon to be nonagenarian will arrive in Leh on July 12th.
Following his arrival, the Tibetan spiritual leader is scheduled to rest for several days for acclimatisation before beginning a series of planned activities throughout the region. The itinerary includes a trip to Zanskar, a remote mountainous region of Ladakh renowned for its ancient Buddhist monasteries and preserved Buddhist cultural heritage. While the Zanskar visit is tentatively scheduled for later in July, specific dates remain to be finalised.
The Ladakh Buddhist Association responded to the announcement with a press release expressing “great joy” at the confirmed visit. The organisation, which serves as the primary liaison between Ladakh’s Buddhist community and the Dalai Lama’s office, highlighted the profound significance of the extended stay for the region’s Buddhist population.
This upcoming visit follows the cancellation of a planned July 2024 trip due to His Holiness’s knee surgery in the United States. The 2025 visit is the culmination of persistent outreach efforts by Ladakhi religious and community leaders over the past year.
A delegation comprising Thiksey Rinpoche, Tsering Dorje of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Tsering Angdus of the Ladakh Gonpa Association, and Jigmet Rabtan of the Ladakh Youth Association met with His Holiness in October 2024 at his residence in Dharamshala to formally renew their invitation.
His Holiness’s most recent visit to Ladakh occurred in 2023, when he spent 45 days in the region, primarily in Leh and lower Ladakh areas including Khaltse. That extended stay featured an intensive schedule of teachings, religious empowerments, and spiritual gatherings requested by local institutions and communities across the region.
Before departing for Ladakh, the foremost Buddhist leader will participate in milestone 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala. The festivities begin on June 30th with a public programme and long-life offering ceremony organised by the people of Amdo Province (Dhomey Cholkha) at the Main Tibetan Temple, coinciding with the 5th Tibetan day of the 5th Tibetan month.
The birthday celebrations will continue with the Central Tibetan Administration’s Cabinet offering a long-life ceremony on behalf of all Tibetans in exile on July 5th, followed by an official 90th birthday celebration on July 6th.
