KATHMANDU:People across the nation are celebrating the 294th Prithvi Jayanti commemorating the birth of late King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of modern Nepal.

A rally, with placards and banners, has been organised on the occasion as a memorial to the Father of the Nation. The mass has gathered around Shah's statue situated at the main gate of Singha Darbar to offer floral tribute to the late King.

Prithvi Jayanti or the National Unity Day is observed every year on Poush 27 of the Nepali calendar.

The very famous metaphor, "Nepal is a garden of four castes and 36 sub-castes" propounded by the late King about the diversity of people and culture in the country still stands true in the present time. He is said to have advocated for inclusive Nepal and respected culture of various communities.