Former Nepal King in Odisha on 6-day visit

Bhubaneswar: Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on Wednesday arrived here on a six-day visit to attend various religious programmes, including some dedicated to save the indigenous Indian cow.

He was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here.

Gyanendra Shah is scheduled to inaugurate the ‘Mission Wow Cow Goshala’ at Rathipur near Jatani on Wednesday, aimed to save the indigenous Indian cow.

On February 8, the erstwhile royal will offer prayers at the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar and later visit the Sakhigopal Temple in Puri, sources said.

On February 9, he will attend a programme commemorating the silver jubilee of ‘Pattabhisheka’ of Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, sources added.

The last Hindu monarch of the world’s only Hindu kingdom of Nepal will visit the Puri Jagannath Temple on February 11.

As per the age-old tradition, the royal family members of Nepal are given special privilege at the Puri shrine and allowed to ascend the Ratna Vedi (the holy altar on which Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed) and offer prayers.

Gyanendra Shah is even allowed to touch the idols of the Holy Trinity, sources said.

In view of the former King’s visit, the Jagannath temple’s servitor body Chhatisa Nijog has decided to ensure smooth and timely conduct of rituals.

(IANS)