PM Narendra Modi may address people at Nepal's religious sites

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address Nepalese people at three major pilgrimage sites - Janakpur, Lumbini and Muktinath - which he will visit during his four-day trip to Nepal to attend the SAARC Summit.

Modi will most probably arrive in Janakpur on November 25 via land route and then fly to Kathmandu to attend the SAARC Summit, foreign ministry spokesperson Khagnath Adhikari said.

He will then travel on a helicopter to visit Muktinath, situated in the mountainous Mustang district in northern Nepal near the Tibet border.

On his way back to India, Modi will pay a visit to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, situated in Nepal close to its border with India.

Janakpur is the birth place of Lord Sita and the famous Ram-Janaki temple is situated there. Muktinath is both a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site.

The temple of Lord Shiva is situated at the site. Muktinath is also famous for Buddhist pilgrimages as famous Buddhist monasteries are located there.

Modi will make public appearances at the three religious sites and also offer prayers. He is also expected to give public speeches at these sites, though detailed itinerary has not yet been finalised, the Foreign Ministry official said.

Security has been beefed up at the religious sites outside Kathmandu.

Integrated security plans have been implemented at the sites with the help of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police personnel.

The capital city Kathmandu is being given a new look with solar street lights being installed, roads being blacktopped and roadside buildings being whitewashed for the upcoming SAARC Summit.

The City Hall, situated in the heart of the city, which can accommodate about 1,000 people, is being renovated to host the main event of the regional meet.

In Kathmandu, security has been stepped up with night patrolling and deployment of more security personnel in sensitive areas.

The SAARC Summit will be held from November 26-27.