The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was deeply moved by the recently concluded “Freedom Trail”, embarked upon by 300 trekkers, who retraced his six-day journey from Khen-dza-mani on the border between Tibet and India to Pungteng-tse at Tawang in 1959.
The trail, which ended on Saturday at Tawang Monastery in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, commemorated the spiritual leader’s escape from Tibet 66 years ago.
“I am very moved to know that 300 people have embarked on a Freedom Trail, retracing the six-day journey I made in 1959,” the Dalai Lama wrote.
“I clearly remember those days and the feeling of relief and freedom I felt as we reached India and how reassuring it was to be given such a warm welcome wherever we went.”
Organised by the Tawang district administration under Deputy Commissioner Kanki Darang, the trek attracted a diverse group of participants, including monks, local leaders, security forces, tourists, and volunteers.
The trail began at Kenzamani with monks and villagers offering prayers for the Dalai Lama’s long life, accompanied by traditional Monpa performances.
In his message dated April 4, 2025, the Dalai Lama reflected on his life in India since those momentous days, “Since those six days travelling from Khen-dza-mani to Tawang, India has become my second home. Living here, I have been able to meet all sorts of people I would not otherwise have done.”
The trail featured several spiritual stops along the way with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police presenting a ceremonial guard of honour to participants at Chudangmo.
Trekkers journeyed through villages where the Nobel Peace Laureate had spent a night each during his journey in 1959, including Gorzom, Shardi, Lungla Tse, and Thonglek, before reaching Tawang.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu praised the event and followed the journey “with admiration and respect”.
The Dalai Lama concluded his message with gratitude, “I also take this opportunity to thank the people and government of India, especially the Mönpas of Arunachal Pradesh, for the deep friendship and support they have shown me and the Tibetan people over the last 66 years.”
Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu praised the trail organizers and participants, describing the event as a “collective act of devotion and unity” rather than a mere commemoration.
“This initiative holds the power to transform Tawang into a global spiritual and cultural destination,” she said, urging district residents to help “preserve this legacy and promote it for generations to come.”
The original journey in 1959 saw the then 24-year-old spiritual leader and an entourage of eighty people flee Norbulingka Palace in Tibet, travelling day and night before crossing into India via the Ke-Dze-Mani mountain pass. Upon arrival, he was received by T.S. Murti, the Assistant Political Officer of Tawang, along with security personnel and local residents.
