By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov. 12: Pashupatinath-Kashi Vishwanath Amrit Mahotsav Motorcycle Rally was flagged off Thursday jointly by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale and Ambassador of India Vinay Mohan Kwatra from the Pashupatinath Temple in the presence of main Bhatta of the Temple.

Nearly 50 Indian and Nepali motorbike enthusiasts are participating in the rally, according to a statement issued by the Embassy of India.
“The rally is aimed at showcasing the profound and timeless people-to-people connection between Nepal and India and further strengthen mutual cultural relations,” read the statement.
Minister Ale said that the age-old cultural heritage and civilizational links between Nepal and India and wished the participants of bike rally a success in their journey.

Ambassador of India highlighted the special association between Kathmandu and Kashi and the role played by the two ancient temples – Pashupatinath and Kashi Vishwanath – in bringing people of the two countries together.
Ambassador Kwatra also urged the youth of Nepal and India to cherish and preserve this shared cultural wealth. Chief Priest (Mool Bhatta) of Pashupatinath Temple blessed the participants before they set out on the journey.

The participants of the rally will visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on November 13 and perform puja and offer ‘Swachchata Shramdan’ at Dashashvamedha ghat to spread the message of cleanliness.
The rally is organised by Embassy of India, Kathmandu in collaboration with Royal Enfield Kathmandu as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independent India and the history of remarkable progress of its people.