India provides Rs 30 mn to construct 'dharmashala' in Nepal

Kathmandu, Jun 21 : Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood inaugurated a 'dharmashala', constructed with the Indian assistance of Rs 30 million, at Muktinath of Mustang district.

The 'dharmashala', inaugurated yesterday, has been built under the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. The project has been implemented by the District Development Committee, Mustang.

''Considered as one of Nepal's most sacred religious shrines and equally revered in India, Muktinath Temple is a symbol of age old cultural bonds between India and Nepal. It is of significant importance for followers of many religious, including Hinduism and Buddhism and attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims everyday,'' a statement issued by the Indian embassy here said today.

''In order to provide suitable accommodation for pilgrims and tourists, the need for a good quality and affordable 'dharmashala' for visitors had been long felt by the local authorities,'' it stated.

The new infrastructure will be managed by the District Development Committee, Mustang and has a capacity of 44 beds with separate space for reception, meditation room, kitchen, cafeteria, dining hall and a guard-house.

Situated in the north western part of Nepal bordering with Tibet, where Khampa launched campaign against Chinese rule in Tibet 50 years ago, Muktinath is a sacred religious place visited by thousands of Nepali and Indian pilgrims every year.