On February 17, 2026, in the afternoon, Ngari Rinpoche Tendzin Chogyal, the younger brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, entered parinirvana at the age of 80. A prayer ceremony marking the 49th day since his passing was solemnly observed in accordance with Buddhist tradition.

The Chief Representative Office (CRO), Shimla, in collaboration with the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association (RTWA), organized a prayer offering ceremony at Dorje Drak Monastery in Shimla. Devotees gathered to offer prayers, butter lamps, and aspirations, invoking the swift return of the noble being’s reincarnation (yangsi) for the benefit of all sentient beings and the flourishing of the Buddha Dharma.

The ceremony was attended by ten monks from Dorje Drak Monastery, who conducted sacred rituals and chanting of sutras and mantras, along with approximately 130 local dignitaries and residents. The gathering was imbued with a deep sense of devotion, merit accumulation, and compassion.

Prior to the commencement of the prayers, Shimla Chief Representative Officer Mr. Lhakpa Tsering delivered a brief address, reflecting on the virtuous life and enlightened qualities of Ngari Rinpoche. He emphasized Rinpoche’s profound contributions to the Tibetan cause and his unwavering commitment to the preservation of the Buddha Dharma, as well as his steadfast devotion as a loyal disciple following the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He further encouraged all present to dedicate the merit (punya) generated from the ceremony toward Rinpoche’s swift rebirth and the liberation of all beings from samsara.