Kathmandu, January 31:

Shree Nar Narayan Baba Ashram Sewa Shanstha today organised a peace rally in the capital, calling for social harmony and well-being of the people.

About 1,000 people associated with various religious and social organisations and schoolchildren took part in the rally. Messages of peace and harmony were scribbled in placards the participants carried.

Participants of the rally that originated at Pashupati Bankali marched all the way to Tundikhel where they boarded buses for Mata Tirtha. Bishnu Gopal Shrestha, the co-ordinator of the rally, said the leaders of the eight political parties were scheduled to attend the rally. “However, due to the meeting of the parties and the prime minister’s address to the nation, the leaders could not make it,” he said.

“I believe that the rally is a historic one as you can see so many people taking part. It shows the people’s yearning for peace and harmony,” he added.

According to him, not less than 70 religious and social organisations and 54 schools, religious gurus, priests, saints and members of civil society participated in the rally. “We hope that the rally will be an inspiration to all,” he said.

Shrestha said they would install statuettes of gods and goddesses at Matha Tirtha, where Guru Nara Narayan Baba would make a religious recitation followed by other rituals today.

The rally will conclude tomorrow coinciding with the end of Swasthani, the month of fasting observed by Hindu women.