Kathmandu

Kathmandu-Varanasi bike rally to begin today

By Himalayan News Service

Photo: Embassy of India/ Facebook

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 10

Embassy of India, Kathmandu, is organising ''Pashupatinath-Kashi Vishvanath Amrit Mahotsav Motorcycle Rally'' between Kathmandu and Varanasi, the two significant cultural and religious hubs of Nepal and India from November 11-16, in collaboration with Royal Enfield, Kathmandu.

According to a press release issued by the embassy, nearly 50 Indian and Nepali citizens are participating in the rally. The rally aims to promote people-to-people relations and strengthen cultural ties between India and Nepal.

During the rally, bikers will visit Motihari, a place of great historical significance in India's freedom struggle where Mahatma Gandhi launched the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917; Sarnath, the holy place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment; and Gorakhnath Math, a holy temple revered by both Indians and Nepalese.

While Nepal-India cultural relations are centuries old, it is also a fact that inter-country relations do not become stronger or long lasting unless people-to-people ties become stronger. This motorcycle rally aims to promote the power of people-to-people ties, a symbol of Nepal-India friendship.

The bike rally is likely to be flagged off by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale of the Government of Nepal from the premises of Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, on the morning of November 11.

Religious rituals and will be performed in the august presence of Ambassador of India to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Mool Bhatta (Chief Priest) of Pashupatinath temple. The rally will be received by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath in Varanasi on November 13.

Besides witnessing the evening Ganga Arti and performing special Puja at Kashi Vishwanath temple, the biker''s team will also participate in a special cleanliness drive of Dashashwamedh Ghat of the Ganga River to give the message of cleanliness. A musical event will also be organised on the Assi Ghat in the evening. The bike rally is part of Azadika Amrit Mahotsav – an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements, said the embassy.

The bike rally is being organised by the embassy in collaboration with Royal Enfield – a renowned and trustworthy motor cycle brand of India.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 11, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.