Ratna Temple likely to remain open for public on New Year: Minister Kirati

POKHARA, April 9: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati on Saturday evening observed the Ratna Temple in Pokhara, Kaski district. Kirati, who spent around one and a half hours in the observation, took stock of all issues relating to the temple, and announced to keep it open for the public. 

Nepal Trust has been asked to make a commercial plan to keep it open for the people, said the minister. Nepal Trust is a government entity responsible for taking ownership of the properties of former King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya and their family, and using them for the welfare of the people. 

"We have done much work in this regard. We have asked the authorities concerned to keep the temple and the palace (Hima Griha) open to the public. They will likely remain open for the people coinciding with the coming Nepali New Year on April 14 this year," he said. 

Ruling out the construction of structures for business purposes on the temple premises and renting them out, he pledged that the ministry would move ahead to this effect as per the aspiration of the local people. 

The temple and Hima Griha were brought under the ownership of Nepal Trust in line with the government's decision to transfer all properties belonging to the late King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya and their family after the country was declared a republic. 

RSS