SHIMLA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today arrived in Shimla, the capital of northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, for a two-day visit.

His Holiness first paid a visit to Jonang Phuntsok Takten Choeling monastery, where he was welcomed by hundreds of Tibetans, including Settlement Officer Tsering Tashi and officials of the monastery. His Holiness also address the monks in the main shrine hall.

Later in the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Central School for Tibetans, where he was received by Education Secretary Ngodup Tsering and other local officials. He gave a teaching to a crowd of students and local Tibetans. He also released a biography of Khunu Geshe Palden Senge penned by Prof. V. S. Negi of the department of Buddhist studies at the Himachal Pradesh University.

His Holiness then paid a visit to Dorjee Drak monastery. He was received by the monastery’s spiritual head His Eminence Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, who is the head of Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. HE Taklung Rinpoche offered auspicious Mendrel Tensum to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness then addressed local Tibetans and monks gathered on the occasion, following which he consecrated a newly-built assembly hall of the monastery. 

Tomorrow, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be the chief guest at the 21st convocation of the Himachal Pradesh University. Top officials of the state government, including chief minister and governor, will attend the ceremony.

(The name of Prof V. S. Negi in third paragraph was wrongly mentioned as Prof B. S. Negi in the earlier report. The error is regretted)