The Tibet Museum’s Participation in Tibet Week at Dayananda Sagar University in Bengaluru

Bangalore: The Tibet Museum, under the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), participated in Tibet Week, an event organised by the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education (DLIHE) at Dayananda Sagar University (DSU), Bengaluru. The week-long program aimed to promote awareness of Tibetan culture, history, and heritage among students and the general public.

The Tibet Museum team departed from Delhi on the night of 2 November 2025 and boarded a flight to Bengaluru on 3 November at 11:20 a.m. Upon arrival, the team travelled to the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, reaching the campus around 6:00 p.m.

On 4 November, preparations for the upcoming exhibition began in earnest. The team visited Dayananda Sagar University (Main Campus)—the primary venue for Tibet Week—to assess the exhibition area and finalise the layout of displays. The day was dedicated to venue inspection, planning the exhibition setup, and coordinating logistics with the organisers.

Tibet Week was formally inaugurated on 5 November 2025 at DSU. The ceremony was graced by Acharya Jigme Tsultrim, Chief Representative South Zone, CTA, as Chief Guest & Dr B. S. Satyanarayana, Vice-Chancellor of DSU, who attended as the Special Guest. He was warmly welcomed with a traditional Tibetan khata by Dr Tenzin Pasang, Principal of DLIHE.

The event began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by a welcome address from Supriya Mathew, Vice President of International Affairs, DSU. In his opening remarks, Dr Tenzin Passang emphasised the importance of cultural understanding and education in preserving Tibet’s unique identity.

The inauguration concluded with the formal opening of the Tibet Museum exhibition and a Mandala Puja for land blessing and world peace, performed by monks from Gyurmey Monastery—creating a serene and spiritually charged atmosphere.

The Tibet Museum presented two major exhibitions during the event, titled “Rivers of the Sky” – highlighting Tibet’s river systems, their environmental significance, and their impact on Asia’s ecology and “A Brief Biography of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama” – illustrating His Holiness’s life, teachings, and contributions to global peace and compassion. These exhibitions drew significant interest from students, faculty members, and visitors throughout the event.

On 6 November 2025, the Tibet Museum hosted a special presentation at the Dayananda Sagar Management and Law Campus on “India and Tibet: Ancient Ties, Current Bonds” and “Coins and Currency of Tibet.” The session offered valuable insight into the historical, cultural, and economic connections between India and Tibet, as well as Tibet’s numismatic heritage.

The following day, 7 November, the team returned to the main DSU campus to continue showcasing “A Brief Biography of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.” The Director of the Tibet Museum, Tenzin Topdhen, also delivered a talk on “Democracy in Exile” and “Rivers of the Sky.” His session provided students with a deeper understanding of the Tibetan democratic structure in exile and the ecological importance of Tibet’s rivers, sparking thoughtful discussions among attendees.

The Tibet Week at DSU concluded on 7 November 2025. The scheduled visit of Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, had to be cancelled unexpectedly. Nevertheless, the closing event featured heartfelt remarks and a vote of thanks by Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the Tibet Museum, along with other dignitaries. The event reaffirmed the enduring bond between DSU, DLIHE, and the Tibet Museum, ensuring that this collaboration remains a continuing journey of friendship and learning.

On 8 November 2025, the Tibet Museum installed its exhibition at the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, coinciding with the Tibetan Studies Conference attended by Indian and Tibetan dignitaries. Faculty members and students of Men-Tsee-Khang also actively participated in the program.

The team departed from DLIHE early on 9 November, reaching Dharamsala on the morning of 10 November 2025.

The Tibet Museum’s participation in Tibet Week served as an educational and cultural outreach initiative to engage young minds with Tibet’s rich history and heritage. Through its exhibitions, photographs, and archival displays, the Museum offered a platform for dialogue on Tibet’s enduring connection with India and its message of peace, compassion, and resilience.

The collaboration between DLIHE, DSU, and The Tibet Museum was a meaningful step toward strengthening academic and cultural partnerships, inspiring students to appreciate Tibet’s timeless legacy.    

-Report filed by Tibet Museum, DIIR, CTA