President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid homage to the goddess at the Palanchok Bhagawati temple, on the occasion of Mahaastami, the eighth day of the 10-day Bada Dashain festival, on Wednesday.

The President, along with her elder daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari, prayed and worshipped for about 15 minutes at the temple located at Palanchok, Panchkhal municipality-9 in Kavrepalanchok district. She had reached the temple at 9.35 am.

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

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

Coordinator of the District Coordination Committee Uddhav KC, Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Raut, Nepalese Army No. 26 Brigade Chief Meendhoj Khadka, president of Municipalities Association of Nepal and mayor of Dhulikhel municipality Ashok Byanju, mayor of Paanchkhal 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 State about the demands paced by the locals regarding the 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. RSS