Sikyong Sangay attends Mcleod Mela

DHARAMSALA, Sep 6: The elected head of the Tibetan people, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay on Sep 4 attended the concluding ceremony of Mcleod Ganj Mela, a traditional festival of the local Gaddi people held every year for the past two hundred years.2014_9_6-300x175

In his address at the festival, Sikyong Sangay thanked the government of Himachal Pradesh and its people for extending hospitality to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people for the past more than fifty years and also urged for strengthening of the close relationship between the locals and the Tibetan people.

He said the Tibetan people will always remember the generosity shown by India during Tibet’s time of need.

He also mentioned that when Tibet becomes free, Tibetans would like to invite the people of India to Tibet as honored guest.

After watching the traditional wrestling match (Kusti), considered one of the main highlights of the festival, Sikyong Sangay presented cash awards to the winners.

The centuries old festival is held annually after a pilgrimage to the sacred Manimahesh lake located at an altitude of 13,500 feet in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *