Dharamsala, July 6 (IANS) Tibetans-in-exile celebrated the 73rd birthday of their spiritual leader Dalai Lama here Sunday. People from different walks of life offered prayers for his long life at the official function organised at Mcleodganj, 20 km from here.

This time due to anti-China protests in Tibet, the function did not include any singing and dance programmes in the celebrations.

Tibet flared up with protests and violence March 10, which marked the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Instead, the gathering saw and participated in an extended prayer session for the Dalai Lama, Tibet and world peace.

It was attended by ministers of the Tibetan government-in-exile and Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche.

Congress legislator from Arunachal Pradesh T.G. Rompuche was also present.

However, the Tibetan temporal head did not attend the function, his secretary Tenzin Takhla told IANS.

The Dalai Lama was born July 6, 1935, in a hamlet at Takster in Tibet. He has lived in India since 1959, heading a government-in-exile that is based in this hill town of Himachal Pradesh. The government-in-exile is not recognised by any country in the world.