Nepal's last king prays for world peace at Lingaraj Temple

Nepal's last King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev today prayed for strengthening of the Indo-Nepal relationship and prevalence of peace across the world.
"I prayed for peace and also to maintain cordial relationship between India and Nepal. There is already a good relationship between India and Nepal. I wished for further strengthening of the ties," Bikram Shah Dev told reporters after visiting the Lingaraj Temple here.
Thanking the Centre as well as the Odisha government for making elaborate arrangements to facilitate his visit to the temple, he said, "I wish Lord Shiva will bless all of us so that we can maintain peace in the world."

The king said it was his third visit to the 11th century Shiva shrine.
He stayed inside the temple for about 30 minutes and the temple administration gave him a gift, officials said.
Later in the evening, the king offered puja to Lord Gopinath (Krishna) at Sakhigopal in Puri district, they said.

Bikram Shah Dev left for Puri to attend a programme to commemorate the silver jubilee of 'Pattabhisheka' of Shankaracharya on February 9.
On February 11, he will visit Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri where he will have the special privilege of performing the 'aarati' of the deity atop the Ratna Singhasan of the Srimandir.

He will also be allowed to touch the idols of the Holy Trinity, the officials said.
He will return from Odisha on February 12.