The two-day Himalayan Festival in Dharamshala is underway, launched by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra Singh. The Festival this year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to HH the Dalai Lama. Artists from Himalayan Buddhist countries and Indian states performed traditional dances and songs. Tibetan leader Sikyong Lobsang Sangay thanked the state of Himachal Pradesh for giving sanctuary to Tibetans in exile.