KATHMANDU, Dec 11: Chief Minister of Indian State of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Aadityanath is arriving in Janakpur for a six-hour stay as part of his pilgrimage to Janaki Temple on Wednesday. He will be accompanied by Indian Union Minister for Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma.

Sources familiar with the preparation said Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari will also reach Janakpur to witness the Vivaha Panchami celebration function. Although nothing has been publicized yet, some agreements between Nepal and India to promote culture and religious tourism are likely, according to officials.

Government officials closely working for the preparation to welcome Chief Minister Yogi and those participating in the Ram-Janaki wedding procession from India said Chief Minister Yogi is scheduled to fly to Janakpur directly from Lucknow by a special aircraft and land at Janakpur airport at about 10 am. Upon landing at the airport, he will directly head for Janaki Temple for worship, as the day marks auspicious Vivaha Panchami—the day celebrated by Hindus across the world as the marriage anniversary of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, also known as Janaki.

Chief Minister Yogi will then head for Madhes Bhawan—the principal secretariat of the Province 2 Government. Chief Minister of Province 2 Lal Babu Raut is scheduled to host a bhandara, a lunch reception, in honor of Yogi and other visiting guests at the Madhesh Bhawan. Province 2 ministers and Janakpur Metropolitan City Mayor Lal Kishor Sah will be among those present on the occasion.

Tourism Minister Adhikari and Chief Minister Raut are also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with their Indian counterparts.

Chief Minister Yogi and his delegation will join those arriving from India in the wedding procession in the swayamvar ceremony to be held at Barhabigha grounds near the Janaki temple. He is also scheduled to address Hindu devotees at the Barhabigha grounds.

Janakpur Metropolitan City and the provincial government are making preparation to organize a felicitation for Chief Minister Yogi, who will fly back home from Janakpur airport at 4 pm.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around Janakpur city and the city has been made clean. Provincial Police Headquarters has said that it will deploy around 3,000 Nepal Police personnel, 1,000 Armed Police Force personnel and over 100 National Investigation Department officials to provide security during the visit.

 
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