By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Mar. 1: President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba have extended their best wishes to the Nepali people living in and outside the country on the auspicious occasion of the Mahashivaratri.
In a message of best wishes on Monday, President Bhandari urged all Nepali people to protect and promote the cultural and religious heritages located in different parts of the country, including the Pashupatinath region.

Stating that the relationship of Lord Shiva with Nepal is described in various Vedic texts, President Bhandari further said Nepal has always been a centre of spiritual contemplation for devotees around the world who believe in Shiva.

She also asked universities, research institutes and scholars to take an initiative to conduct in-depth studies on tangible and intangible heritage scattered in different parts of the country.
She also wished that the festival would lead Nepali society on the path of progress and shed new light of spiritual awakening in people’s lives.
Similarly, Vice President Pun said that the festival of Shivaratri would help promote goodwill, tolerance and brotherhood among the people. He also congratulated Chief of the Army Staff as Tuesday is also the Army Day.

Likewise, Prime Minister Deuba has said that Mahashivaratri festival has been established as a pillar of national unity.
Unity and prosperity of the country through religious festivals was the need of today, the Prime Minister said.
The government is committed to protecting and promoting Nepali religious and cultural festivals and traditions, read the PM’s message.

He also hoped that the festival of national unity and culture would help strengthen mutual cooperation, harmony and brotherhood among the Nepali people.