DHARAMSHALA, India -- DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — The Dalai Lama turned 90 on Sunday surrounded by thousands of followers, who 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.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, has turned 90 after a week of celebrations by followers during which he riled China again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.

Thousands of Tibetan Buddhists streamed into India's Himalayan town of Dharamshala on Sunday to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. Ferocious monsoon rains did not dampen the spirits as the Tibetan spiritual leader appeared in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, smiling and walking with the aid of two monks.