Nepal: PM Modi offers special prayers at 20th century Janaki-temple
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the famed 20th century Janaki temple in Nepal's Janakpur town and offered special prayers.
Modi, who arrived on a two-day visit to Nepal, directly went to the Janaki temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita, from the airport.
Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli welcomed his Indian counterpart upon his arrival at the temple complex.
Bhajans
Devotional bhajans were played during prayer
Devotional bhajans of Sita and Ram were played during the 10-minute long prayer performed by Modi at the temple.
The Shodashopachara worship ceremony, with sixteen ritualistic services including tantric mantra recitation, is carried out only by special guests at the Janaki temple.
During the ritual, the idol of Hindu Goddess Sita is worshipped and decorated with clothes and jewels.
First Prime Minister
Modi is first Indian PM to offers prayer at Janaki-temple
Visiting Indian Presidents Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Gyani Zail Singh and Pranab Mukherjee had performed such prayers during their visits to Nepal.
Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to hold such a ceremony at the temple.
Thousands of people gathered in the premises to welcome Modi. Janaki temple has got a new look as it was cleaned up and decorated with lights.
Information
A brief background of Janaki temple
Janakpur is known as the birth place of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Janaki temple was built in memory of Sita in 1910. The three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble is 50-metre high and spread over 4860sqft.
Third visit
This is PM Modi's third visit to Nepal
Later, Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a civic reception by the Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City at Barhabigha ground. Modi and Oli will jointly launch Ramayan Circuit to promote tourism in Nepal and India.
This is the third visit of Prime Minister Modi to Nepal and the first high-level visit from India since the formation of the new Government in Nepal this year.
Neighborhood policy
India would remain a steadfast partner of Nepal, says Modi
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi said India would remain a steadfast partner of the Himalayan nation in its quest for growth and development.
Describing his trip to Nepal as a reflection of his government's commitment to "neighborhood first" policy, Modi had said the Himalayan nation has entered a new era and India would continue to support it.