In August 2000 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave a Kalachakra Initiation at Ki Monastery in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh to 25,000 followers. In July 2010 His Holiness travelled to the village of Disket in the Nubra Valley area of Ladakh to inaugurate and bless a statue of the Maitreya Buddha at Disket Monastery.
On both occasions, over four days, his followers (who had travelled great distances over high mountain passes), sat on the desert floor under a blistering sun and listened to his teachings. A small army of helpers cooked and handed out tibetan bread and naamkeen chai (tibetan salty butter tea) to relieve the hunger and thirst of the congregation.