Dalai Lama Temple in Dharamshala closed for public due to coronavirus

main Tibetan temple here has been closed for public in view of coronavirus pandemic, office of Dalai Lama said on Tuesday.

Tsuglhakhang temple, which is situated in Dharamshala's Mecleodganj area, is popular among tourists and Buddhists across world.

"In view of coronavirus 'COVID-19' outbreak as well as a precautionary measures by various Indian government including imposition of section 144 by Kangra district ministration, main Tibetan temple (Tsuglhakhang) will be closed from tomorrow (Wednesday) until April 15 subject to furr tice," office of Dalai Lama said in a statement.

or major Tibetan temple in Karmapa Lama Monastery near Sidhwari in Dharamshala was alrey closed.

Tenzin Jigme and Tenzin Paljor, Press Officers, Department of Information and International Relation, told PTI, "Few monasteries are closed till date. Regarding closing of Tibetan Monasteries all over India, it depends on ministration of Monastery and we have rights to interfere in ir decision making".

Jigme said that in response to gravity of coronavirus pandemic, Central Tibetan ministration issued new guidelines, calling on Tibetan monasteries, schools and elder care homes in India, Nepal and Bhutan to cancel public garings for one month.

guidelines also call on all boarding and day schools to be closed for a minimum of one month; Elderly care homes to restrict all outside visitors except for staff and nurses; All staff members of Central Tibetan ministration, both at centre as well as at regional level, to postpone all official visits and to refrain from holding any meetings, training programs and workshops for one month among ors.

guidelines are to be implemented for a minimum of one month while at same time following guidelines issued by respective state governments.

India has reported 126 positive cases include 22 foreign nationals. So far, three people have lost ir lives after getting infected with virus. 

Representative Im