KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari offered the seven-coloured 'Bhaitika' to her younger brother Degendra Pandey at the auspicious hour of 11:55 am at the President House, in Sheetal Niwas on Friday.

In a special ceremony held on the occasion of the Bhaitika festival, President Bhandari put the garland made of Dubo (a type of grass) and makhamali (globe amaranth) flower around her brother’s neck as blessings. She also presented him with dry fruits and sweets. The President’s brother presented gifts to her in return.

Prior to this, President Bhandari performed the rituals of paying homage to the lamp, kalasha (the holy urn), Ganesha as well as the Ashtachiranjivi and Yama-Yamuna deities as per the time-honoured tradition.