Dalai Lama receives traditional welcome in Tawang

WELCOME TO INDIA: The Dalai Lama on his arrival from Tokyo at New Delhi's IGI Airport on Saturday.

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Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh): Thousands of locals in traditional costumes and monks attired in their maroon robes lined up streets early Sunday to greet the Dalai Lama as he arrived in Tawang on a week-long visit to India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Dalai Lama landed in Assam's main city of Guwahati from New Delhi at 0745 hrs IST.

"The Dalai Lama is very happy and is excited to be in Arunachal Pradesh," TG Rinpoche, a senior Buddhist spiritual leader and former Arunachal Pradesh minister told IANS by telephone from Guwahati after receiving the Dalai Lama at the airport.

Since morning, people lined up on both sides of the streets of Tawang, starting from near the helipad some eight kilometres from the town.

"We are simply excited and blessed to have the Dalai Lama in Tawang," said Sarwang Lama, a middle aged monk attired in a new robe.

Tibetan prayer flags and banners, including life size posters of the Dalai Lama, adorned the streets and rooftops to welcome the Tibetan spiritual leader.

At the Tawang monastery, about 800 monks, including several senior clergies, were present to give the Dalai Lama a religious welcome.

The Dalai Lama on Sunday would inaugurate a museum and a library at the monastery and then address monks and priests.

"The Dalai Lama's main itinerary begins on Monday when he starts the prayer session at a school playground near the monastery. That would be his first public appearance," said Guru Tuku, the abbot of the monastery.

It was through Tawang, a revered seat of Buddhism, that in 1959 the Dalai Lama escaped the Chinese to enter India.

The Tibetan leader will then visit the adjoining town of Bomdilla and Dirang on November 12, before leaving for state capital Itanagar on November 14. The trip ends on November 15.

China has raked up a controversy by asking India not to allow the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit Arunachal Pradesh.