SHIMLA: Putting an end to all speculations that Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama would be shifting base from McLeodganj, Tibetan prime minister Lobsang Sangay on Saturday said the spiritual leader would remain in Dharamshala, where he has been living for the past 50 years.

"Dalai Lama loves Himachal Pradesh and Dharamshala, where he has been staying for the past over 50 years. He is not leaving the place," said Sangay. He said after relinquishing his political duties, Dalai Lama's religious engagements have increased, and therefore he had been spending more time outside the state, especially in South India.

Speculations of Dalai Lama shifting his base to a Tibetan settlement in Mysore had created flutter in McLeodganj, which contributes to the tourism industry of the region in a big way. Each year thousands of his followers from different parts of the globe travel to McLeodganj to seek his blessings and attend his teachings. His followers include Hollywood actors like Richard Gere who keep visiting McLeodganj.

