Inside Story at the Dalai Lama Temple on Tibetan New Year - 14th Feb 2010

Around a month Back...I was at the Dalai Lama Temple at Mcleodgang..It was 14th Feb 2010...The continued story about the Tibetan New Year...The temple was completely lit at 10 in the morning...Huge crowd was flowing in the temple to pray and see the yearly celebration at the temple.
Inside are statues of various figures including Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, and Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion and Green Tara 
The Dalai Lama addresses and blesses the people at the temple, which happened early morning that day which I missed :(
For those of you not familiar with the Dalai Lama, he is the rightful spiritual and political leader of Tibet, an area now encompassed within China. China invaded this peaceful Buddhist Kingdom at the ‘roof of the world’ in the early 1950’s, feeling that they were helping a poor nation in need by giving them infrastructure and reuniting the Tibetan and Chinese cultures, when in reality, they massacred thousands of Tibetans and nearly destroyed their way of life with the “Cultural Revolution” where hundreds of monasteries were destroyed, monks were killed and forced to kill each other at gunpoint and forbidden to practice their religion, and the Dalai Lama, in 1959, was forced to flee to India on foot over the Himalayas, in fear of his life and the lives of his people. Since then, thousands have followed him, trying to rebuild their lives and retain their fleeting culture, but many have died trying to make the journey. Each pilgrim that reaches McLeod Ganj is personally greeted and welcomed by the Dalai Lama himself. In 1989, the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in trying to free his country in a peaceful manner
NOTE: THE DALAI LAMA STAYS JUST BEHIND THE TEMPLE..TEMPLE IS ALSO CALLED AS THE "HOME OF DALAI LAMA".BUT, MOST OF THE TIME LAMA IS TRAVELLING.THUS CHECK WITH THE LOCALS YOU MIGHT JUST BE LUCKY TO SEE AND MEET HIM....

There are number of lights lit in closed,cupboard like structures made of wood and glass spread across the entire temple.Similar to one showed in the below image.Fire Lights are not let loose anywhere in the temple.

 

DECORATIONS.....

The entire temple had buntings across..As I walked around,I saw flags on the first floor.I inquired with one of the local and she shared that theres an auspicious KALI temple at the top.I waited in the queue awaiting to see whats different that Tibetans do and have in store for me..the wait was blissful..

When I reached up,I saw poles on three sides of temple with flags on them..I wondered why have they put so many flags and here's the answer to it...I had seen lot of flags across houses on my way to temple.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_flag/  Please visit this site to read more ...

Locals dressed in traditional Shuba (More info an this is mentioned in my earlier post.) The youth wore western as well...Tibetans are very welcoming and enthusiastic...The lady in Green was super fun..She posed the moment she saw me clicking them :) She was Sweet :)

Well there's more to come..I take your leave now to come back with small happiness's that's a joy to me...My journey with you will continue.............................