KAVREPALANCHOK: President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid homage to the goddess at Palanchok Bhagawati temple this morning on the occasion of Maha Ashtami, the eighth day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival.

The President, along with her elder daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari, prayed and worshipped at the temple located in Palanchok, Panchkhal Municipality-9 in Kavrepalanchok district.

This is the second time that President Bhandari has visited the temple and paid homage to the goddess after assuming office as the President.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari had accompanied the President.

Coordinator of the District Coordination Committee Uddhav KC, Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Raut, Nepal Army No. 26 Brigade Chief Meendhoj Khadka, President of Municipalities Association of Nepal, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality Ashok Byanju, Mayor of Panchkhal Municipality Mahesh Kharel, and other officials welcomed the President when she arrived at the temple.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer Raut, who is also the president of temple management committee, briefed the Head-of-the-State about demands placed by the locals regarding preservation and reconstruction of the historical temple.

After listening to CDO Raut, President Bhandari said she would talk to the government on the matter. The Department of Archaeology has allocated Rs 2.52 million for the reconstruction of the temple.

(with inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)