Nepal province govt upset over Indian TV channels showing Muktinath visuals

The chief minister of Nepal's Province No 4 has expressed his discontent over Indian television channels broadcasting visuals from inside the holy temple of Muktinath during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung expressed dissatisfaction after the Indian media aired footage of the temple in Mustang district which went live on their channels despite restrictions on using cameras within the temple complex.

Many temples in Nepal prohibit people to capture photos of prime religious sites.

Modi had reached at Muktinath temple early morning on May 12 and performed a special homage, which was telecast live by Indian news channels.

Muktinath, is a holy shrine which attracts both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims alike. Hindus consider the deity of the temple as Lord Vishnu, while Buddhists worship it as their deity Padmasambhava.

However, Nepali Congress leader and former minister Romy Gauchan, who hails from Mustang, said he does not agree with the view, adding that Modi's visit has helped in promoting tourism in Nepal's mountainous region.

Every year thousands of pilgrims, mostly from South India, visit Muktinath, he told PTI.

"We had even tried to invite Prime Minister Modi to Muktinath during his last visit in 2015," he said.

He said the region can be a gateway to the holy site of Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet, if a few hundred kilometres of motorable road could be built the site which is just 600 kms from Muktinath, he said.