In early September a wide range of events will be held in Tuva to support the forthcoming public prayer about longevity of Dalai Lama, which Russian Buddhists plan to hold in Tibetan residence of their spiritual leader in Dharamshala in November.

As the official Web site of the Tuvan Government reported, sand mandalas of Medicine Buddha, who protects living beings from sickness, will be made in the republic as part of preparation for the forthcoming prayer. Some important Tantric rituals, where residents and guests of the republic will be able to take part, will be held in Tuva. The sand mandalas of Medicine Buddha will be built by monks of the Gyudmed Tibetan Tantric Monastery, who had been rendering assistance to Tuva in the revival of Buddhist traditions. The Gyudmed monks will hold the ceremony of the big praying drum, which they had built for donations last year.

President Vladimir Putin and Monaco's Prince Albert II traded opulent imperial settings in St. Petersburg for an 8th century fortress and a Mongolian nomadic tent in a southern Russian region Monday, as the Monegasque prince continued his vacation in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prince Albert II of Monaco have arrived at the Tuva republic. Russian Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu and head of the Tuva government Sholban Kara-ool were meeting them at Kyzyl airport. From the airport Putin and Albert II flew by helicopter to the Por-Bazhyn fortress.