India, Nepal sign deal for building homes at famous monastery

KATHMANDU: India today signed a deal with Nepal worth Rs 44.42 million for constructing a residential building at a historic monastery near China-Nepal border ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to the popular pilgrimage site.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, District Development Committee, Mustang and Shree Monchoe Dragkar Thegchen Ling (Monastery) for providing the Indian grant assistance of Nepali rupees 44.42 million for the construction of a double storied staff residential building cum dining hall under Nepal-India Economic Cooperation.

The monastery is a historic structure having great socio-cultural relevance in the life of the people of the Mustang District. The inmates at the Gumba are facing problems with regard to their accommodation and pursuit of religious education.

The construction of staff residential building and dining hall will avail better facilities to the pilgrims visiting the upper Mustang.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Muktinath Temple and surrounding areas in view of the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi to the temple, which attracts thousands of Hindu and Buddhist devotees from different parts of the country and India every year.

According to Chief District Officer of Mustang, Baburam Bhandari, the meeting of the security bodies have been regularly held to manage proper security for the Indian Prime Minister's proposed visit.

Besides Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha and Janakpur, birth place of Sita, visit to the famous tourist destination of North-West Nepal, Muktinath, is also being considered for Prime Minister to visit, when he arrives in Kathmandu to attend the 18th SAARC Summit later this month.

An integrated security management comprising Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force has been formed in Mustang district ahead of the visit.