Nepal's ex-King goes on religious trip to India

Nepal's former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on Monday left here for Odisha to participate in a series of religious functions in the eastern Indian state, including to save the indigenous Indian cow.

Gyanendra Shah, the last King of the world's only Hindu kingdom of Nepal from 2001 to 2008, will attend functions at various religious sites and temples in Odisha.

The erstwhile royal will attend a function 'International Gau Sambardhana Mahotsav' aimed to save the indigenous Indian cow, and the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a 'Gomata Mandir' at Rathipur near Jatni on Wednesday, organisers said.

The former King will also pay obeisance at the Lingaraj temple in the state capital and visit Sakhigopal temple.

He will also visit the revered Shree Jagannath temple and attend a public reception organized by Shreemarg.

He will later visit West Bengal capital Kolkata where on Thursday he will inaugurate the 'International Gau Sambardhana Mahotsav' and hold meetings with religious leaders.

The Nepalese dignitary had earlier visited Uttar Pradesh and met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)

--IANS

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