India to help renovate Ghats along Pashupatinath temple: Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said India will help Nepal in renovation and upgradation of the Ghats adjoining Pashupatinath temple.

"The Government of India is happy to assist in the establishment of the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupatinath Dharamshala project, presently under implementation," Mukherjee wrote in the visitor's book after visiting the temple.

"I am happy to have announced, during my State Visit, that Government of India will also assist in renovation and upgradation of the ghats adjoining the temple area," he said.

Mukherjee, who is on a three-day state visit to Nepal, the first presidential visit from India in 18 years, further said: "I am very happy to be here again -- at the holy Pashupatinath Mandir, a site of unique cultural, religious and historical significance."

He also said that he enjoyed participating in the special pooja and thanked the temple trust for the arrangements made for his visit.

"I offer the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust my best wishes for the success of its endeavours in conserving and maintaining this unique temple complex which is equally revered by devotees in India and Nepal," he said.

--IANS

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