KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 17
The 'Pashupatinath- Kashi- Vishwanath-Amrit Mahotsav Motorcycle Rally' between Kathmandu and Varanasi, two significant cultural and religious hubs of Nepal and India, concluded yesterday.
The rally was flagged off jointly by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale and Ambassador of India Vinay Mohan Kwatra from the sacred Pashupatinath temple on November 11.
Altogether 50 Indian and Nepali citizens participated in the rally, which aimed to promote people-to-people connections as well as strengthen cultural relations between India and Nepal with focus on youth. During its journey, the bikers visited Motihari, 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 Budha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment; and Gorakhnath Math, a holy temple revered by both Indians and Nepalis.
Cultural relations between India and Nepal are centuries old but it is a fact that relations of a country with any country do not become stronger or long lasting unless people to people ties become stronger.
Participants said the rally helped promote people to people ties, a symbol of Nepal-India friendship. The rally is also intended to increase awareness among youths about the precious religious and cultural heritage of our two great countries.
Besides witnessing the evening Ganga Aarati and performing special puja at Kashi Vishwanath temple, the biker's team also undertook a special cleanliness drive at Dashashwamedh Ghat of the river Ganga to give the message of cleanliness. A musical event was also organised at Assi Ghat in the evening.
The bikers shared their exciting experiences of the ride and emphasised that the bonds of brotherhood formed during this journey to India from Nepal would remain forever.
The bike rally was 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.
Kathmandu Legends, a well-known group of Royal Enfield riders with decades of riding experience, provided marshalling support to the rally and played the role of facilitator.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 18, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
