Dalai Lama, global symbol of Tibetan culture and resistance, turns 90

Dignitaries from across the world sent their wishes to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Picture: Ashwini Bhatia/AP

The Dalai Lama turned 90 on Sunday, surrounded by thousands of followers.

Worshippers 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.