Kathmandu, May 11

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Jhalanath Khanal has underlined the need to promote religious tourism by developing religious sites.

At a programme organised by the Shree Pashupatinath and Bagmati Ganga Arati Sewa Samiti, the former prime minister said religious sites in a dilapidated condition needed to be rebuilt and promoted for the development of tourism in the country.

He said that the Ganga Arati programme started by the Samiti had further highlighted the significance of Pashupatinath and religious tourism. “At the initiative of the samiti, Ganga Arati is being organised every evening in Pashupatinath temple since 2007. On the occasion, Khanal released a book published by the samiti.

Former minister Shanta Manawi who was also present on the occasion suggested to the people in authority that the Pashupatinath area should be further systematised.

Samiti chair Janardan Sharma Adhikari said the Arati programme continues to attract devotees from home and abroad contributing to the tourism industry of the country.