The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetans, arrived in Patna on Monday on his way to Bodh Gaya to participate in the ten-day Kalchakra festival of the Mahayana sect of Buddhists.

The Dalai Lama reached Patna amid tight security in view of intelligence reports of threats to his life from Chinese extremist groups opposed to him.

He is scheduled to leave for Bodh Gaya, 110km from Patna, on Tuesday morning and is likely to stay at the site of the proposed Maitreya project spread over 20 acres near the town where the Buddha attained enlightenment 2,500 years ago.

The state government has made unprecedented security arrangements for his safety. About 150 security personnel, police commandos, the Rapid Action Force and sniffer dogs have been deployed.

The Kalchakra festival, to be held during January 11-19, attracts thousands of Buddhists from across the world. The Dalai Lama leads the special Kalchakra prayers. About half a million Buddhists are expected to attend the festival this year.