As throngs swarm his home-in-exile, the Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday

The 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner renowned for his message of compassion and his fight for greater freedoms for Tibet under Beijing’s authority, was celebrated Sunday in Dharamshala, India, with thousands of people in attendance.

Despite the dense fog and intense monsoon rain, people in their finest attire crowded the winding alleyways starting in the early morning hours, waiting in long lines to see the Dalai Lama at the Tsuklakhang Tibetan Buddhist compound.

The temple, which was tightly guarded by Indian police and security forces, was packed before the celebrations started, leaving hundreds of eager guests waiting to see if they would be in.

Many, including Namgyal Dorjee Gongpa from New Jersey in the US, had traveled great distances to participate in the festivities.

“This is a very momentous occasion for myself and my family,” the 49-year-old told CNN while attending the ceremony with his wife and three sons.

We travel to India, the core of the exile Tibetan system, every year so that my children who were born abroad can return to their roots and learn about and experience their culture. We can all participate in the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, which makes it a wonderful occasion.