Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi worshipped at Muktinath Temple, a sacred religious site for both the Hindus and Buddhists, in Mustang district on Saturday.

Modi prayed at the temple for about 20 minutes. He received blessings from Krishna Prasad Subedi, the main Brahmin priest at the temple, and Aani Karsang Tashi. According to Subedi, Modi performed the Shodashopachar puja at the temple. “He [Modi] performed Archana and Aarati himself,” said Subedi. After the ritual, Modi refreshed himself with the water from the 108 holy taps on the temple premises.

Modi, who arrived in Nepal for a two-day state visit on Friday, reached Muktinath at 7:55am on a special helicopter of the Indian Air Force. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari, Chief Minister of Province 4 Prithvi Subba Gurung and provincial Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hari Bahadur Chuman had welcomed Modi to the shrine.

Former ministers, lawmakers, elected representatives at local federal units, government officials, security officials and the locals clad in traditional attires came together to welcome the Indian prime minister. People of Ranipauwa, Chhengur, Khinga and Purang greeted Modi following the Bhote Gurung tradition.Though no formal function was organised in his honour, various organisations and local people presented him with souvenirs. Minister Adhikari and CM Gurung gave shaligrams (usually black fossils found mainly on the Kaligandaki river and worshipped as a symbol of Lord Vishnu) to Modi while chief administrative officer of Bahragaun Muktichhetra Rural Municipality Dipak Regmi offered a copper plaque and a carpet locally woven using sheep wool. District Coordination Committee chief Chhiring Lhamu Gurung also gifted him a carpet. On his way back to the helipad, Modi briefly talked to the people waiting to greet him. He also joined them for photos and inquired about their traditional musical instruments. The locals offered him Kinga, a traditional cap. After one-and-a-half hours at Muktinath, Modi returned to Jomsom before flying to Kathmandu.

High profile visit cheers local residentsLocal people were elated to meet the Indian prime minister. They believe his visit will help promote tourism and overall development of the Muktinath area. “The visit of the high-profile guest certainly helps development of the area,” said DCC Chief Gurung. A large number of Indians visit Muktinath every year.

The visiting PM had earlier flown to Mustang on a helicopter to worship at the Muktinath temple.