MAHENDRANAGAR, DHANUSHA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – set to arrive in Nepal for an official visit – will be taking part in the Shodasopachara Pooja at the Janaki temple in Janakpur today.

Shodashopachara worship ceremony – with sixteen ritualistic services including tantric mantra recitation – is carried out only by special guests at the Janaki Temple.

According to the temple's priest Ramatpeshwar Das Vaishnav, prior to this, the worship ceremony was carried out by visiting Indian Presidents Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Gyani Zail Singh and Pranab Mukherjee.

Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to hold such a worship ceremony at the temple. The Shodasopachara worship ceremony, which lasts for around an hour, includes Pancha Ahuti and mantra recitation by five pandits (priests).

During the ritual, the idol of Hindu Goddess Sita is worshipped and decorated with clothes and jewels.