The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), on Monday, unveiled a book titled ‘Religious and Spiritual Circuits Nepal and India’, to promote religious tourism between the two friendly neighbours.

The book mainly describes five religious pilgrims—Shiva Shakti Circuit, Mahabharat Circuit, Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Shikh Circuit—which comprise various religious sites in Nepal and India.

It also showcases the immense richness of these religious sites found in the two countries and their significance to three of the world’s major religions– Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.

Addressing the ceremony, the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati, said Nepal-India relations date back to the times of ancient rishis and sages. He said that the book will contribute to enhancing religious tourism between the two countries.

Navin Srivastava, India’s ambassador to Nepal, said the book, which is a joint contribution of scholars from Nepal and India, will contribute to enhancing the people-to-people ties as well as in tourism promotion.

The book talks about the mythology and religious importance of many religious sites which expresses the richness and depth of the religious heritage spanning the Indian sub-continent and many parts of South-East Asia.

The book has been prepared by experts and scholars from both the countries, who are – Neera Mishra, Ramesh Dhungel, Basudev Krishna Sashtri, Ramesh Bhattarai, Hari Prasad Adhikari, Acharya Pandit Tek Narayan Upadhaya, Gyani Gurubaksh Singh, Rajinder Singh Chadha, Bikram Pande Kaji and Deepak Anand.

Marshal Rathore and Luja Mathema, the two officials of the NICCI also contributed to the writings.

According to NICCI, to promote religious tourism, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation is scheduled to start the Bharat-Nepal Aastha Yatra Tour, starting on March 31.

The nine-night, 10-day tours will entail visiting significant Hindu religious places such as Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagyaj in India and Pashupatinath in Nepal.