Dharamsala, June 3 – Scores of Tibetans, monks and tourists offered prayers at the main temple at McLeodganj near here today to mark ‘parinirvana’ of Lord Buddha. Crowds started pouring in around 4 am and the trend continued throughout the day.
After ‘puja’ at the main temple, fire prayers were offered and prayer flags were tied. This was followed by the devotees giving donations to beggars and organisations. Monks observe a fast during the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. Today was 15th day of the month called ‘Saka Dawa’.
It is believed that any good deed done on this day comes back in the form of a thousand rewards. Foreign tourists had a tough time keeping beggars away.
Though no official function was organised, the Tibetan government-in-exile had declared a holiday today so that people could offer prayers in large numbers at the temple.
