Pilgrimage tourism is the new mantra that has reinforced historical ties between India and Nepal. It has become quintessential for Indian tourists to visit religious places in Nepal, according to Nepalese Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Buddhi Raj Bajracharya.
"Tourism and pilgrimage in Nepal have been interlinked for centuries," he said, adding the composite nature of relations between India and Nepal has been sustained since hoary times.
Claiming the political situation in Nepal has improved a great deal giving a boost to the tourist flow in recent months, the minister said barring some temporary strains in relations between India and Nepal, bilateral relations were always good and was hopeful of improving further. The minister said that 61 per cent of the total tourists in Nepal are from India. The flow of
Indian tourists had registered a five per cent growth in June 2005 compared to June last year.
Bajracharya said state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines' services, withdrawn from Kolkata, would resume in about 14 months after acquisition of two more aircraft. Nepal would also upgrade its airport at Bhairahawa near Lumbini as a regional international airport to facilitate Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. Since Pashupatinath and Muktinath, holiest of all the Hindu shrines, are in this Himalayan kingdom where thousands of Indian pilgrims go every year to pay homage to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Many religious sites in Nepal like Janakpur, Damodar Kunda, Swargadwari, Barah Chettra, Manakamnna are revered by Hindus all over the world. Nepal is also a gateway to Mt Kailash, considered to be the earthly manifestation of Mount Sumeru or Meru - the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus. Bajracharya said almost all tourist destinations in Nepal could be reached by a 30 minute flight from Kathmandu. The deepest gorge in the world, quiet river valleys, ancient cities, towering pagodas, temples, ten world heritage sites besides majestic
Mt Everest and friendly people were what make Nepal special
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