KATHMANDU, July 21:  Around 3000 cyclists gathered at Patan Dhoka of Lalitpur to participate in Kora Cycling Challenge in the early morning of Saturday.

Kora is a process of taking tour of religious places in a clockwise way in both Hindu and Buddhist religions. Cyclists of different age groups ranging from nine years old to seventy years old took part in the Kora rally.  Also the foreigners participated in the rally.

 Before starting the rally, participants observed a minute of silence in memory of late cyclist Narayan Gopal Maharjan.

"This sort of rally helps to improve our health and also the environment by controlling pollution," said 63 year-old-Gaurav Shamsher Rana , former Nepal Army chief who also has been participating in the rally since the past three years.

Starting from Patan Durbar Square, rally will tour along the route of Kirtipur, Chobhar, Naikap. Syuchatar, Swayambhu,, Nagarjun, Balaju, Manamaiju, Dhapasi, Budhanilkantha, Kapan, Bouddha, Pashupati, Guheshwori, Sinamangal, Airport, Koteshwor and come back to the starting point again.

An American national Charles, 28, who has been in Nepal for last two months, came to know about the rally through social media and took part in the rally.

Former champion Laxmi Magar is leading the rally.

Apart from the Kathmandu Valley, Kora rally is also taking place in Butwal, Pokhara and Dharan simultaneously.  

On the basis of distance, i.e., 50, 75 and 100 kilometers, cycle riders have been categorized as Novice, Intermediate and Expert respectively in the Kathmandu Kora Rally.

 
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