Former king, queen offer prayers at Pashupati, Panauti festival ends

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 Feb.: Cheered by hundreds of people, former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal offered prayers and worshipped at Pashupatinath temple Friday evening on Shivaratri.
The couple organized Rudri prayers at the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal.
The former king and queen entered the temple complex from one of four doors opened for them as other worshippers were cleared amid tight security.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav also visited the temple for prayers and worship.
He spent only 15 minutes there, unlike the former king who spent a longer time there.
The president said he prayed a constitution would be promulgated within the 28 May deadline.
A month-long Makkar mela concluded at Panauti Friday.
former King Gyanendra broke tradition and visited the meal this month.
Shah kings never attended the mela.
An estimated 500,000 devotees offered prayers at Pashupati until
Friday evening, an official of Pashupatinath Development Trust said,
The attendance will increase as devotees spent the entire night at the temple complex.
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