Kathmandu, Shrawan 30 – Member of the Rajya Sabha of India and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is set to visit Nepal. The announcement was made following his meeting in Siliguri, India, with renowned religious activist and international saint Swami Mahamandaleshwar Krishnananda Paramhansa Kalidas Baba (popularly known as Kalibaba). During the meeting, MP Shringla expressed his intention to undertake a religious visit to Nepal.
Accompanied by Kalibaba, Dr. Milankumar Thapa, Chairperson of Kalika Sadhana Ashram Nepal, extended a formal invitation to MP Shringla to visit and worship at the sacred Pashupatinath Temple. In the discussions, MP Shringla emphasized the need to further strengthen the historic and people-to-people ties between the two nations. He also underscored the importance of launching new initiatives to promote religious tourism and foster cooperation for mutual prosperity.
During his tenure in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Shringla served as ambassador to several countries and was the chief coordinator for the G-20 Summit.
Following the meeting, religious leader Kalibaba stated that Nepal and India’s centuries-old ties should be elevated to new heights. He stressed the importance of developing and promoting the religious sector to curb youth migration from Nepal by creating opportunities through religious tourism. He urged Nepali youth to believe in self-reliance and unite for the country’s prosperity rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
“Our aim in widely promoting Nepal’s religious tourism is to ensure that the youth do not have to migrate abroad, that peace and prosperity prevail in the country, and that employment opportunities are created,” Kalibaba remarked.
Dr. Thapa, Chairperson of Kalika Sadhana Ashram, stated that efforts are underway to strengthen the socio-cultural and economic ties between Nepal and India, with the goal of attracting over five million pilgrims annually to the Pashupatinath Temple. He noted that the “Pashupati Darshan Campaign” in India has already boosted religious tourist arrivals to Nepal and affirmed that these efforts will be further expanded.
“Nepal’s religious tourism can become a global center for Sanatan Dharma followers. This is why both institutional and individual initiatives have been undertaken,” Dr. Thapa said.
Earlier, at the invitation of Kalibaba, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal visited Nepal to worship at the Pashupatinath Temple and participate in the Dashamahavidya Rudra Havan Mahayagya, held at Hansamandap from Shrawan 14 to 24. Minister Sonowal expressed India’s commitment to assist in the development of Nepal’s religious tourism sector. The Mahayagya’s chief advisor, Dr. Thapa, had also invited spiritual leader Dr. Guruji Kumaran Swami, along with various religious figures, artists, and politicians, to attend the event.
The Dashamahavidya Rudra Havan Mahayagya, envisioned by Kalibaba, marked its 200th Havan in Nepal. Preparations are now underway for the 201st Mahayagya to be held in Siliguri, India. Kalibaba has dedicated these Havans and Mahayagyas to the goals of global peace, prosperity, and economic development.
Civic Felicitation for MP Shringla
On Thursday, a civic felicitation was held for MP Shringla in Darjeeling. According to Suman Kumar Basnet, General Secretary of the Darjeeling Welfare Society in Kalimpong district, Shringla was honored as a “son of the soil” of Darjeeling. The felicitation ceremony was held at the Gorkha Rangmanch Bhanu Bhawan.
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