Kathmandu Varsity confers honorary doctorate on President Mukherjee

Kathmandu [Nepal], Nov. 3 (ANI): President Mukherjee was conferred an honorary doctorate by the Kathmandu University at a special convocation ceremony organized at the Army Officers Club here. The degree was presented by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is the chancellor of the university. Earlier, the President visited the famous Pashupatinath Temple and offered special payers to the Aghor Swarup (form) of the Pashupatinath from the temple's south gate and the from the Tatpurusha from the eastern entrance. He also paid his respects to Sankatmochan Hanuman, the Nawagraha and Devadhidev Mahadev with the lighting the sawalakh batti (125,000 wick lamps). The Indian President was welcomed at the temple's main entrance by Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, the ministry's secretary, Shankar Prasad Adhikari, Pashupati Area Development Trust Member Secretary Govinda Tondon and other PADT officials. Gargi Kanya Gurukul students and Batuks of Nepal Ved Vidhyashram lined both sides of the temple's entrance to welcome the Indian dignitary. This followed by the Batuks performing the Swasti Bachan. The Panchakanya (five girls) adorned in Hakupatasi (Newari traditional dress) also welcomed him. Mukherjee was given phoolprasad (offerings) by Pashupati Temple's Mulbhatta (main priest) Ganesh Rawal after the special pooja. Mentioning that India would assist in the reconstruction of the Pashupati area, President Mukherjee signed the Visitors Book kept there. A 'token of love' was presented the Indian president by Minister Shahi who is also the Trust Chair. (ANI)