360th anniversary of Gaden Phodrang to conclude on 16th May
Dharamsala (Tibet.Net), 15 May 2003: As Dharamsala gears up to conclude a year since the celebration of the 360th anniversary of Gaden Phodrang Government in 1642 when Ghurshi Tenzin Choegyal, the Mongol emperor, conferred upon the fifth Dalai Lama Lobsang Gytaso the political authority over Tibet, the small hill town is again attracting lots of people from outside. The organisers are now getting busy putting up final touches to the two day official ceremony.
According to an announcement, the first day’s function will be held in front of Tsug lak khang(the main temple) in the presence of HH the Dalai Lama. There will be a long life prayer offering for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Following that, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, the Kalon Tripa will release a two-volume anthology on Tibet’s past and future, published by the Department of Information and International Relations of Central Tibetan Administration. A cultural show will also be presented.
The main event on the second day is scheduled to take place at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA). The ceremony on that day will begin with a traditional reception to Thang tong Gyalpo, the founder of Tibetan opera. The ex-Tibetan Army Society will present a book on the political and military history of Tibet to the honourable Kalon Tripa. The highlight of the day will be a lhamo performance by TIPA, on the life of the great fifth Dalai Lama, Lobsang Gyatso.