Nepal King arrives in Odisha on six-day tour

Bhubaneswar:  Nepal King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev received a rousing welcome after arriving at the Bhubaneswar Airport in Odisha today morning. The King is on a six-day visit to the State to attend various religious programmes.

The king is scheduled to inaugurate the ‘Mission Wow Cow Goshala’ at Rathipur near Jatani today and will visit Puri on February 9 to attend a programme commemorating the silver jubilee of ‘Pattabhisheka’ of Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati.

Sources said there is a spiritual tie between Odisha and the Nepal King, who has special ‘Seva’ and rituals in the three shrines of the State including Srimandir and Sakhigopal Temple in Puri and Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.

The last Hindu monarch will visit the Puri Jagannath Temple on February 11. The Nepal King has the special privilege of performing Aarati of Lord Jagannath atop the Ratna Singhasan (Golden Throne) of the Srimandir. He is even allowed to touch the idols of the Holy Trinity, sources added.

In view of the King’s visit, the Jagannath temple’s servitor body Chhatisa Nijog has decided to ensure smooth and timely conduct of rituals. While the temple door will open at 3 AM, the Bhoga Mandap rituals will be completed by 9.30 AM followed by temple purification rituals. Devotees will not be allowed inside the temple from 9.30 AM to 12 noon on the day.

The King will also visit the Lingaraj Temple and Sakhigopal Temple apart from attending some other programmes during his six-day tour.