Dalai Lama arrives to participate in Kalchakra puja

Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama arrived here today from Himachal Pradesh to participate in the 10-day long Kalchakra Puja, a puja of religious importance in Buddha's dharma.

The Dalai Lama arrived at the Bodh Gaya international airport here amid tight security arrangements.

The Tibetan spiritual leader then went to the famous Mahabodhi temple here to offer prayers.

Later talking to reporters the Dalai Lama said "I am a teacher of people having beliefs in Buddhism and the objective of the dharma is to spread the message of peace and non-violence across the world."

He described "Lord Gautam Buddha as ancient ideologue and scientist of the religion and I am following the path of Buddha as a teacher for the maintenance of world peace."

On the Tibet movement the spiritual leader said "the entire world knows that we are following the path of truth."

The Kalchakra puja would begin at kalchakra maidan tomorrow.

The Kalchakra initiations is expected to draw over two lakh devotees from different countries including 10,000 Buddhists from India.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to participate in the closing ceremony on January 10.

Tight security arrangements have been made at Mahabodhi temple and Kalchakra maidan with more than 2000 security personnel deployed in the area.