Itanagar, Mar 31 (PTI) A six-day trekking expedition retracing the historic route taken by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama six decades ago commenced on Monday afternoon from Kenzamani in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district.

Organised by the district administration under the initiative of Deputy Commissioner Kanki Darang, the event is supported by Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu and chairman of the Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA), Jambey Wangdi.

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The journey will conclude at Pungteng in Tawang on April 5, marking the day the Dalai Lama arrived in the region in 1959, an official release said. The expedition will commemorate the Dalai Lama's historic escape from Tibet in 1959.

The inaugural ceremony at Kenzamani featured prayers for the Dalai Lama, followed by cultural performances by monks and villagers, it said.

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“As we embark on this six-day-long journey along the Freedom Trail, we draw strength from the wisdom of the Dalai Lama and hope for a peaceful future. Our relationship with Tibet is centuries old, rooted in shared history, culture, and mutual understanding. The bond between our people goes beyond borders,” Lhamu said.

The opening day saw an enthusiastic turnout, with around 300 participants joining the trek, the release added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)