The Dalai Lama turned 90 on Sunday surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959.

Dharamshala, the scenic hill town in Himachal Pradesh, is currently the epicentre of global spiritual energy, and it’s not because of its mountains. Hollywood actor Richard Gere landed here this week to join in the celebrations for the upcoming 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, and he’s not the only one making the pilgrimage.