Thousands of Tibetans celebrated the 71st birthday of their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, with singing and dancing despite concerns over his health. On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama cancelled a visit to Europe slated for July because of minor health issues, officials said.

Tenzin Geshe, a senior official in the Dalai Lama's private office in Dharamsala town where the Tibetans' government-in-exile is based, said the health complaints were minor.
The Dalai Lama is a frequent traveller, spreading the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and talking about the Tibetan cause.

"I am concerned about his health and it is good that they have cancelled his tour. His Holiness should travel less now given his age," said Tsultrim Dorjee, 32, one of those celebrating the Dalai Lama's birthday.
At a Buddhist temple near the spiritual leader's residence in this northern Indian hill station, thousands of Tibetans turned up in traditional multi-coloured long-skirted garb to celebrate the day.

They whirled around, dancing and singing songs praising him, to the sounds of traditional Tibetan stringed instruments and drums.
"Today is a very special occasion because on this day the world has witnessed the birth of a great leader, not just of the Tibetans but of humanity as a whole," said Samdhong Rinpoche, prime minister of the government-in-exile.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959 and established the government-in-exile in Dharamsala.

He was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1989 for his non-violent campaign for democracy and freedom in his homeland.
The Dalai Lama has given up demands for Tibet's independence from Chinese rule and instead seeks greater autonomy for his homeland as a means of preserving the Tibetans' national and cultural identity.

But Beijing insists that the Dalai Lama is not being "sincere" and has refused to allow him to return to Tibet.
Around 140,000 Tibetan exiles live in India.