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Updated: Aug 03, 2014 00:31 IST

Besides trade, energy, development, aid, removal of trust deficit and investment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal also has a religious aspect.

On Monday, Modi will visit and offer prayers at the Pashupati Temple — Nepal’s most sacred Shiva shrine. “The PM will offer 2,500 kilos of ‘srikhand’ (sandalwood) to the temple,” informed Govinda Tandon, member secretary of Pashupati area development trust. The quantity of the offering, worth several crore rupees, would be enough to last the next 12-15 years.

“There is a huge rush on Mondays of Shrawan. Due to Modi’s visit we will have to stop devotees from entering the temple for nearly half an hour till he completes his special prayers,” informed Tandon.

The authorities at Pashupati are expecting cooperation from India for development and conservation of the temple — including a 400-bedded ‘dharamshala’ for devotees, Rs. 25 crore for conservation of the temple complex and a master plan for development of the area.