Kathmandu, Aug 31 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart KP Sharma Oli on Friday formally inaugurated the 400-bed Pashupatinath Maitri Dharamshala here.
The 400-bed dharamshala – a rest house for travellers – has been funded by India and would be run by Pashupati Area Development Trust, sources said.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the civilisational and religious links between two countries will also
be always a chief tool for strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighbours.
“This Dharmshala will be more than the just rest house for the pilgrims….but it will boost Nepal’s tourism too and provide a link between two countries,” Mr Modi said.
“While Lumbini in Nepal gave the world Gautam, Bodh Gaya in India gave the world the Lord Buddha,” he said speaking about the time tested civilisational links between two countries.
He assured that the spirit of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas as envisioned for the governance purpose in India is also linked in more ways than one to the well being of the Nepali population.
Prime Minister Modi referred to his native state Gujarat and said somehow it is linked to his dedication to the Lord Shiva that – the ‘son of Somnath’ has been blessed to get associated with Bishwanath in Varanasi and Pashupatinath in Kathmandu.
Mr Modi specially complimented his Nepal counterpart Mr Oli for successfully hosting the fourth BIMSTEC Summit that concluded here on Friday.
