Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Dec 20:

Erstwhile king of Nepal, Gyanendra Shah would be visiting Odisha’s holy town Puri in January next year.

Pic Courtesy:nepalmountainnews.com Pic Courtesy:nepalmountainnews.com

The erstwhile king of one-time Hindu kingdom Nepal, Gyanendra Shah would be visiting the holy town to participate in the installation ceremony of a new idol of Goddess Bimala in the premises of Govardhan Peeth-the seat of Shankaracharya Jagadguru Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, revealed Govardhan Peeth sources.

The three-day-long installation ceremony of the new idol is scheduled to be held from January 18-20. Govardhan Peeth authorities had invited the former Nepal king to attend the ceremony.

The former king has given his consent to attend the ceremony on the first day, the sources added.

Special importance is being attached to former Nepal king’s visit to Puri since the royal family has special rights to worship Lord Jagannath at the Sri Jagannath Temple (Sri Mandir) akin to that of the Gajapati, who is the first servitor of Lord Jagannath.