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Tibetans celebrate the Dalai Lama's 85th birthday amid India-China woes

McLeod Ganj, Jul 6 (EFE/EPA).- Thousands of followers of the 14th Dalai Lama gathered in northern India on Monday to celebrate the 85th birthday of the Buddhist spiritual leader with traditional rituals and chants.In a valley surrounded by the Himalayas, the Dalai Lama talked about love and compassion and religious tolerance and urged young people to spread the message of harmony and love.One of the largest celebrations was held in the northern city of Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama has been living and guiding a government-in-exile since he fled from Tibet following a failed uprising against China in 1959.Born as Lhamo Dondhup, the 14th Dalai Lama was born on Jul. 6, 1935 in Taktser in eastern Tibet and was named the next spiritual leader of his community at the age of 2.Alongside spreading the message of peace worldwide, the Nobel Peace laureate has been tirelessly fighting for the rights and freedom of Tibetans, risking the wrath of Chinese authorities, who consider him a separatist. (Camera: SANJAY BAID). SHOT LIST: MONKS AND TIBETAN PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN PRAYER AND CULTURAL TIBETAN ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE DALAI LAMA'S BIRTHDAY IN MCLEOD GANJ, NEAR DHARAMSALA, INDIA.