PM Modi to fly to Janakpur directly from Patna on May 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fly directly to Janakpur, famous for Janaki Temple, from Bihar's capital Patna on May 11 during his two-day official visit to Nepal, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa said today.

Thapa said that Modi's visit will take the centuries-old social and religious relations between the two countries to a new height.

Security has been stepped up in Janakpur, 225 km south of Kathmandu, which is famous for Janaki Temple, the early 20th century shrine.

Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will welcome Modi, who will take part in a civil felicitation programme, said Thapa, who was in Janakpur to take stock of the situation and check security arrangements.

He was accompanied by Nepal's Home Secretary Dev Kumar Rai and chiefs of all three security agencies, the Himalayan Times reported.

Modi will be in Nepal on May 11 and 12.

The Indian Prime Minister will board an Indian Air Force airplane from New Delhi to reach Patna airport, from where, he along with other delegates and his security will fly to Janakpur on three helicopters, the report quoted Thapa as saying.

The choppers will land at Bahra Bigha in Janakpur, where Modi will offer worship at the Janaki Temple and later fly to Mustang, the report said, quoting the travel itinerary made public by the government.

Later in the day, Modi will arrive in Kathmandu, it said.