Thousands of people gathered in India’s Dharamshala on Sunday to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama – a key milestone in the life of the spiritual leader and Nobel Peace laureate known for his message of compassion and his quest for greater freedoms for Tibet under Beijing’s rule.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, has turned 90. The Dalai Lama has turned 90, surrounded by thousands of followers who came to the Himalayan town of Dharamshala. The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile there since fleeing Chinese rule in 1959.

Thousands of Tibetan Buddhists streamed into India's Himalayan town of Dharamshala on Sunday to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. Ferocious monsoon rains did not dampen the spirits as the Tibetan spiritual leader appeared in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, smiling and walking with the aid of two monks.