Dalai Lama Returns to McLeodganj Today

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is returning today to his residence, Tsuglagkhang Monastery in McLeodganj, after spending nearly six weeks in Leh-Ladakh.

Dhirendra Singh, Director of the Airports Authority of India at Gaggal (Kangra) Airport, confirmed that His Holiness’s flight departed from Delhi at 11:30 a.m.

The Dalai Lama had originally been scheduled to return on Monday, but his flight was rescheduled due to bad weather. On Thursday, he flew from Leh to Delhi, where he underwent a routine medical checkup following his stay at high altitude.

After celebrating his birthday in Dharamshala on July 6, the Dalai Lama traveled to Leh by air on July 12. During his stay in Ladakh, he visited Zanskar, inaugurated the Karsha Mega Summer Teaching, laid the foundation stone for the Zanskar Monlam Chorten, and delivered teachings to over 21,000 devotees.

In Leh, he also laid the foundation of the new Jokhang Temple, blessed the Dharma Centre at Choglamsar, and addressed nearly 50,000 followers at Shewatsel on August 16–17, where a long-life prayer was also offered in his honor.

His final public appearance in Ladakh was on August 24, when he attended a luncheon at Abhi-Spang Spituk.