6-day trek to commemorate Dalai Lama’s Tibet escape from March 31
Tawang district administration in Arunachal Pradesh will organise a six-day trekking event titled the ‘Freedom Trail’ to commemorate the Tibetan spiritual leader’s the Dalai Lama’s historic escape from Tibet in 1959. The event would begin on March 31 and retrace the path taken by the Dalai Lama when he entered India as a refugee 66 years ago.
Many Tibetan exiles and supporters of Tibetan cause from Dharamsala are expected to participate in the trekking event that would attract the attention of world towards the issue of Tibet, said a Tibetan activist Tsering in Dharamsala who intends to participate in it.
Sources here said that the district administration of Tawang made the official announcement, stating that the foot march will commence from Khen-Dze-Mane in Arunachal Pradesh on March 31 and conclude in Tawang on April 5. The journey will take participants through significant historical sites like Chuudangmo, Gorzam Chorten, Shakti, Lungla and Thongleng before reaching Tawang. Each stop will serve as a moment of reflection, mirroring the Dalai Lama’s own pauses during his arduous journey in 1959.
March 31 marks exactly 66 years since the Dalai Lama and his entourage of 80 people first stepped into the Mon region of India after fleeing Norbulingka Palace in Tibet. Then 24-year-old the Dalai Lama and his close aides and family members took an exhausting trek, travelling day and night before finally crossing into India via the Ke-Dze-Mani mountain pass. Upon arrival, he was received by TS Murti, Assistant Political Officer of Tawang, along with security personnel from the 5 Assam Rifles and local residents of Jemeithang.
The organisers of the event have said that the trekking event aims not only to honour the Dalai Lama’s journey but also spread his message of peace, non-violence and compassion. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in spiritual reflection and gain a deeper understanding of the resilience and struggles faced by the Tibetan people, they said.
The Dalai Lama in a recent interview had said that he gets emotional because in 1959, when he escaped from Tibet, he came from this route. “I was physically very weak. Mentally, there was a lot of anxiety, hopelessness and helplessness. It was difficult. The local people here and officials extended a very, very warm welcome. I get emotional every time I visit Tawang,” the Dalai Lama had said.
The district administration of Tawang has invited the public to participate in a deeply spiritual and historically significant event. The trek aims to inspire people to implement the Dalai Lama’s teachings of harmony and compassion in their daily lives, reinforcing his enduring legacy in the region, the administration has said.
