Bhubaneswar: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is celebrating his 91st birthday today, with millions of followers, well-wishers, and monastic communities across the globe offering special prayers for his long life, health, and message of universal peace. While global celebrations are marked by religious rituals, community service, and campaigns centered on compassion, the milestone holds a deeply personal and nostalgic resonance for the state of Odisha, a place His Holiness has frequently spoken of with profound affection.
The special connection between the Dalai Lama and Odisha dates back more than six decades. Following his flight into exile in 1959, India established refugee settlements across the country, one of the earliest and most vibrant being the Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement in Chandragiri, nestled in the green hills of Odisha’s Gajapati district. Set up in 1963 with the active support of Odisha’s legendary leader Biju Patnaik, the area has grown from a quiet refuge into a flourishing community often referred to as Little Tibet.
Over the years, the Dalai Lama has visited Chandragiri several times, always expressing his deep love for the state and the warmth of its people, whom he has frequently praised for their hospitality and harmonious co-existence with the Tibetan community. A major milestone of this relationship occurred in 2010, when His Holiness traveled to Chandragiri to inaugurate the spectacular Rigon Thupten Mindrolling Monastery in Jirang. The five-storied architectural marvel stands as a major spiritual hub and a symbol of the enduring bond between Odisha and the Tibetan diaspora.
On this auspicious occasion, Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi extended his warm wishes and heartfelt greetings to His Holiness. The Chief Minister prayed for the Dalai Lama’s good health, longevity, and continued guidance, acknowledging his immense moral strength and the global impact of his teachings on non-violence and compassion.
Across the Chandragiri settlement today, the 91st birthday is being marked with deep devotion. Monks and residents gathered early in the morning for long-life prayers, accompanied by community feeding programs and cultural activities, carrying forward the Dalai Lama’s lifelong mission of spreading kindness and fostering peace.