The Dalai Lama visits Birdpur

In 1956 as part of the celebrations for the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha the young Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama visited Birdpur. The two Tibetan leaders had come to venerate both the Piprahwa stupa and the garden at Lumbini (where Buddha Sakyamuni was born circa 563 BCE). The Dalai Lama made a second visit in 1960, soon after he had fled Tibet. Below on the left is a copy of the menu from his stay at Birdpur, on the right is a list of signatures of those who were present at the meal. The signature at the top belongs to the Dalai Lama.