SIRAHA, Jan 27: While political parties are racing to woo voters ahead of the House of Representatives (HoR) election on March 5, former King Gyanendra Shah made a quiet, yet highly noticed, visit to Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhesh Province.
Accompanied by his family, the former king arrived in Janakpurdham on Sunday and stayed at Mithila Yatri Niwas. On Monday afternoon, he performed rituals at the Janaki Temple. Speaking briefly to journalists, former King Gyanendra Shah said his visit was strictly religious. He avoided further comment, choosing instead to focus on maintaining goodwill among his supporters. Around 3 PM, he entered the temple complex with his family, greeted by a large crowd of devotees.
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Supporters in the courtyard raised slogans like “Our King is dearer than life,” “King, come and save the nation,” and “King is our shared pride.” Preparations had begun early in the morning for his reception at the nearby Ram Temple and Rajdevi Temple, located about 200 meters from Janaki Temple. At Janaki Temple, he was welcomed by Mahants and Sadhus, while youth committee members greeted him at the Ram Temple.
During his visit, the former king also paid respects at several other monasteries and temples. After completing his prayers, he told journalists, “This is purely a religious journey, nothing else.” Large groups of workers from Hindu organizations and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) accompanied him throughout. The former king, wearing a bright and cheerful expression, stopped occasionally to engage with supporters, listening to them and smiling.
Earlier, on January 18, former Crown Prince Paras Shah had visited Janakpurdham and stayed at Mithila Yatri Niwas. On the same day, Balendra Shah, the prime ministerial candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), also stayed at the same hotel. With the election approaching, the concentrated visits of the former king, the former crown prince, and other members of the royal family to Janakpurdham are drawing considerable attention and speculation.
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