(TibetanReview.net, Sep04’26) – The Dalai Lama returned to his exile home in Dharamshala, India, on Sep 4 morning to a rousing yet solemn welcome by the Tibetan and local host community after a knee surgery in Delhi followed by over two month’s summer stay in Ladakh, during which he gave audiences to more than 21,500 devotees, said the Central Tibetan Administration on its Tibet.net website Sep 4.
While in Ladakh, the Dalai Lama attended celebrations marking his 91st birthday on the Kalachakra Teaching Ground in capital Leh, located near his Shewatsel residence. He also attended prayer ceremonies at the Buddha statue in Stok and at the Buddha statue and stupa in Gonpa Village, besides visiting the Buddha Garden at the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre.
The Dalai Lama also attended the final session of the Yarchos Chenmo (Great Summer Debate) at the Matho Teaching Ground, as well as a long-life prayer offering on the Kalachakra Teaching Ground. The latter event, attended by more than 15,000 devotees, was jointly organised by the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Ladakh Gonpa Association, and the Tibetan Community in Ladakh.
He topped his Ladakh stay by attending a thanksgiving and farewell cultural programme on the Kalachakra Teaching Ground on Sep 1, organized by the above groups and the Union Territory’s Muslim community.
All in all, the Dalai Lama gave audiences to a total of 21,572 devotees.
The Dalai Lama initially travelled to Delhi where he underwent surgery on his left knee on Jun 8, having previously had surgery on his right knee in Jun 2024 in New York City. He then flew to Ladakh on Jun 28 where he has spent much of his summer months in past many years.
A widely anticipated meeting in Ladakh with the visiting US ambassador to India, Mr Sergio Gor, who is known to be close to President Donald Trump, eventually did not materialise. Gor was in Ladakh over Aug 20-21.