Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was admitted to hospital in the western Indian city of Bombay today for tests after complaining of stomach problems, a hospital spokesman said.
The Dalai Lama (66) seen by Tibetans as the reincarnation of a long line of Buddhist kings, was flown to Bombay by chartered plane from Patna in the eastern part of the country.
"He is undergoing examination, Dr Hemant Kumar, who was treating the religious leader at the Leelavati Hospital and Research Centre", said. The hospital is a leading medical centre in Bombay.
The Dalai Lama had been in the town of Bodh Gaya, near Patna, capital of the state of Bihar, to preside over a Buddhist festival attended by some 200,000 people.
His illness forced cancellation of the Kalchakra festival, said to be one of the world's biggest Buddhist gatherings. Bodh Gaya is the site where Buddha reputedly achieved enlightenment.
The Dalai Lama has been running a government-in-exile in northern India since fleeing Tibet in 1959, nine years after Chinese troops occupied the Himalayan region and overthrew its Buddhist theocracy.
The Dalai Lama appeared briefly at the festival three days ago, waving and smiling to followers. He told them he would be unable to sustain the rituals which required him to sit still for at least five hours.