KATHMANDU: A 'heritage cycle rally' has kicked off from Kasthamandap of Basantpur this morning, organised with the objective to collect funds to help rebuild religious and cultural heritage sites damaged in the April 25 earthquake.

Minister for Tourism Kripasur Sherpa flagged off the rally that will see cyclists covering a distance of 60 kilometers through the heritage and religious sites including Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Sankhu, Changunarayan and the durbar squares in Bhaktapur and Patan. It will end later this evening upon reaching back to Basantpur.

The rally has been organised by the Tour De Lumbini. The rally is an effort to start collecting funds from the people's level and the funds collected will be handed over to the Department of Archaeology and the local reconstruction committees, said the Program Coordinator Devendra Basnet.

Also this morning, the Kasthamandap Reconstruction Campaign organised a morning procession to generate awareness on the need of reconstructing the heritage site.

The procession that began from Kasthamandap passed through New Road, Ratna Park, Old Bus Park, Bhadrakali, Sahid Gate and dispersed upon reaching back to the starting point.

Earlier, initiating the march, Minister for Law Narahari Acharya emphasised on the need to rebuild the Kasthamandap as soon as possible.

The Kasthamandap Reconstruction Campaign was formed few weeks ago under the convenorship of renowned athlete Baikuntha Manandhar.