Ladakh bids teary farewell to HH Dalai Lama as 38 days’ visit ends

Leh, Aug 28: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama departed from Leh Thursday after completing his month-long stay in Ladakh. The farewell occasion was filled with warmth and reverence, as people and dignitaries gathered to offer their prayers and extend their good wishes for His Holiness’s long life and good health.
Chairman, CEC, Advocate Tashi Gyalson; Dy. Chairman, Tsering Angchuk; His Eminence the 105th Gaden Tripa, Jetsun Lobsang Dorje Pal Sangpo; His Eminence Thiksay Rinpoche; Administrative Secretary, Michael M. D’Souza, Director General of Police, Ladakh, Dr. S.D. Singh Jamwal; Deputy Commissioner, CEO, LAHDC Leh, Romil Singh Donk; Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, Shruti Arora; Additional District Development Commissioner, Leh, Sonam Nurboo; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Ghulam Mohd; President, Ladakh Buddhist Association, Tsering Dorjey Lakrook; LGA President Ven.Dorjey Stanzin; Additional Superintendent of Police, Leh, Rigzin Sangdup; Tehsildar Leh, Attaullah Khan; and CRO, Leh, Tashi Dhondup, were present on the occasion to see off His Holiness.
Along with them, hundreds of people from across Ladakh also gathered to bid him farewell, reflecting the devotion and gratitude of the people.
In his remarks, Gyalson, expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness for blessing Ladakh with his presence during the summer stay.
He said that the people of Ladakh were deeply fortunate to receive his teachings and guidance and conveyed the collective hope that His Holiness would visit Ladakh again soon. He further extended prayers for His Holiness’s continued good health and long life.
As per the officials, after completing a month and a half visit to Ladakh, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama reached in Delhi by flight, where he was warmly received at the airport by Representative Jigme Jungney.
During his six-week and four-day stay in Ladakh, His Holiness granted audiences to more than 20,000 people—including Indians, foreigners, Ladakhis, and Tibetans—in Leh and Zanskar over a span of 38 days. He also gave teachings attended by over 50,000 devotees.
During his stay in Ladakh, the Dalai Lama presided over a series of major religious teachings, public audiences, and community events that drew tens of thousands of devotees and well-wishers from across the Himalayan region and abroad.
His engagements highlighted both spiritual guidance and expressions of gratitude toward the people of Ladakh for their devotion and hospitality.
On Monday, August 25, a message from the Nobel Peace Laureate residence in Ladakh, Shiwatsel Palace, conveyed his appreciation to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). Addressing Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyalson and his colleagues, His Holiness lauded Ladakh’s progress in education and the economy while praising the warmheartedness of its people.
“I appreciate the fervent faith and devotion of the people of Ladakh. The essence of the Buddha’s teaching is non-violence and compassion, and I have encouraged them to cultivate a warm heart and work for the welfare of fellow human beings,” he said in his message, while also thanking LAHDC for extending support to Tibetan refugees residing in the region.
The Dalai Lama had arrived in Leh on July 12 aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft from Dharamsala. His visit featured several landmark events. On July 21, despite earlier weather delays, he flew by helicopter to Padum in Zanskar, where he inaugurated the KarGön Mega Summer Symposium. Two days later, local residents offered long-life prayers for him, and he laid the foundation stone for the Zanskar Mönlam Chörten. On July 25, he gave teachings to more than 21,000 people in Zanskar before returning to Leh.
In Leh, His Holiness laid the foundation stone of the new Jokhang Temple, blessed the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar, and gave teachings to around 50,000 people on August 16–17 at Shiwatsel. On the second day, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) offered long-life prayers in his honour. Celebrations marking his visit culminated on August 22 at Sindhu Ghat, where LAHDC Deputy Chairman Tsering Angchok paid tribute to him. His final public appearance was at a luncheon on August 24 hosted at Abi-Spang Spituk by the LBA and LGA.
Beyond spiritual gatherings, His Holiness also received audiences from thousands of devotees and met with international dignitaries, including Czech President Petr Pavel, who extended birthday greetings on the occasion of the Tibetan leader’s 90th birthday.