Dalai Lama's 78th birth anniversary celebrations in India

Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah has on Saturday offered prayers on the 78th birth anniversary of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Bylakuppe is home to the largest gathering of Tibetan exiles outside of Dharamshala.

Meanwhile, in Shimla , capital of Himachal Pradesh province the birthday celebrations of the spiritual leader was held in great fervour.

Tsering Tashi, Tibetan Welfare Officer of Shimla , spoke of the importance of the Dalai Lama's birthday to them.

"In Shimla this is the biggest event for the Tibetan community and the trans-Himalayan people who live in Shimla. So it is a very important day for us," said Tashi.

Tibetan artists played various musical instruments and sung songs marking the birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama.

Yarphel Lama, Tibetan Buddhist Monk said that next year they wish to celebrate his birthday in Lhasa.

"We hope that next year we will celebrate his birthday in Lhasa. We also want him to live for more then 100 years," said Lama.

Sonam Tenzin, Additional Secretary of Department of Information and International Relations said that this ceremony is held early in the morning to pray for the long life of the Dalai Lama.

"In this burning ceremony which we call as an intense prayer, it's held early morning on his birthday in order to pray for his long life," said Tenzin.

The Dalai Lama was born on July 06, 1935 in a small farming village of Taktser in Tibet and at the age of two he was recognised as the incarnation of 13th Dalai Lama.