Chief Minister of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has said that he is visiting Janakpur as a cultural envoy to attend a Hindu religious event on December 12.

A special programme is organised in Janakpur every year on the occasion of Bibaha Panchami to commemorate the wedding ceremony of Hindu Goddess Sita, the daughter of King Janak, with Lord Ram, son of Ayodhya’s King Dashrath.

“My visit to Janakpur is more cultural rather than political or religious. Cultural visits will connect two historic cities—Janakpur and Ayodhya,” said CM Adityanath. “I have a desire to worship at Goddess Sita’s parental home if both the countries agree on that.”

Talking to a group of journalists from Janakpur at CM’s Office in Lucknow on Sunday evening, Adityanath said he was excited to visit Janakpurdham—something he has cherished for long.

Adityanath also said he, his party, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are ready to work together with the Nepal government for the development of Janakpur.

The Indian government launched the direct bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya as the two cities have longstanding cultural and religious ties, and the commencement of railway service will further the relations, the Uttar Pradesh CM said.

Province 2 government has been making preparations to welcome Adityanath in Janakpur. Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut said that Janakpur visit of protocol officers and a series of meetings between two countries’ security agencies laid the groundwork for Adityanath’s visit to the historic and cultural city.

Earlier, the planned visit of Adityanath to Janakpur had sparked a controversy after the Nepal government said it had no information about his plan. Kathmandu has not officially announced Adityanath’s Janakpur visit yet.

Several political parties and leaders had raised objections to Adityanath’s visit, citing that PM KPs Oli had invited his Indian counterpart Modi to take part in the Bibaha Panchami ceremony in Janakpur. Some Nepali leaders expressed their concerns that Adityanath’s visit may give a religious undertone to Nepal, a secular state.

According to media reports, Modi cancelled his visit to Nepal because of his commitments to state assembly elections in India, and deputed Adityanath to attend the religious event.