Nepal President visits Lingaraj Temple in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar, April 20:

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha, offered prayers at Lingaraj Temple here on Thursday.

Soon after her arrival, she was greeted by the temple priests at the 11th century Shiva shrine. She was escorted to the shrine where she spent over half an hour amid tight security.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the shrine during BJP National Executive meeting on April 16.

The 54-metre high temple is spread over a 25,000 sq.ft. area and has over 150 small and big subsidiary temples in its premises.

After arriving at the city’s Biju Patnaik International Airport, the Nepal President attended a women’s empowerment programme here.

Bhandari is scheduled to visit Puri to pay obeisance to Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Friday.

Police Commissioner Y.B. Khurania said elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth movement of the President. (IANS)