His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the leader of the Buddhist faith arrived in Ashrama on 22nd December 2000 at 3.30 P.M. His Holiness was received at the entrance of the Universal Prayer hall by His Excellency Sri R. Venkatraman, former President of India. The Dalai Lama then removed His shoes and walked in to the prayer hall and was greeted by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji and His Holiness The Dalai Lama exchanged pleasantries and proceeded to to the Sri Chakra Puja place in the prayer hall. His Holiness The Dalai Lama inquired about the various icons in the Puja Mantapa. Sri Swamiji explained to His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the concept of Sri Chakra Puja, Maha Ganapati Homa and the Moolika Teertha as prepared by Sri Swamiji. Then Their Holiness' proceeded to the Datta temple and Arati was performed to Kalagni Shamana Dattatreya idol. Then Sri Swamiji went inside the Garbha Griha and requested His Holiness The Dalai Lama to come inside and His Holiness offered flowers to the feet of Dattatreya. Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji garlanded His Holiness The Dalai Lama and offered the Datta Vastram to His Holiness. Then Sri Swamiji beckoned Sri R. Venkatraman to come inside to offer flowers. Then they moved upstairs to the quarters of Pujya Sri Swamiji and His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji were closeted for more than 30 minutes. After coming out, they mentioned that the discussion was around the universal brother hood, humanistic approach to the complex problems in which religion was the main ingredient and about the world peace in general. The smiling Dalai Lama bid good bye to Sri Swamiji for the day and bowed in respect.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama will stay in Ashrama for three days till 24th morning. On 23rd afternoon, He will inaugurate the Sapta Swara Devata Temple in Nada Mantapa at 3 PM.

Thousands of devotees reached Ashrama to have the rare Darshan of the Two Holiness together.

Please visit this page for more photos and updates of the events as they unfold.....

His Holiness Dalai Lama arrives in Ashrama.
His Excellency Sri.R.Venkatraman, Former President of India welcomes His Holiness on behalf as Ashrama.

Pujya Sri Swamiji shows to His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the Moola Virat Dattatreya Idol.

Their Holiness share a lighter moment

His Holiness The Dalai Lama pays respects to Pujya Sri Swamiji

Pujya Swamiji and His Holiness The Dalai Lama with Sri Vinayananada and Sri R. Venkatraman. His Holiness holds in His left hand
a small silver pot containing the water of Holy Manas Sarovar lake. This was presented by Pujya Sri Swamiji.