President Bidhya Devi Bhandari attended a reception programme organised by ex-King Gyanendra Shah in Kathmandu on Thursday.

President Bhandari's secretariat confirmed her participation in the reception organised at Hotel Soaltee in Soltimode, Kathmandu.

Shah had organised the reception to celebrate his grandson Hridayendra Shah's Bratabandha ceremony (a ritual to mark the begining of manhood). Junior Shah's Bratabandha ceremony was performed a week ago.

Some 3,000 guests, including political leaders, and cine artists, among others, attended the reception.

Deposed King Shah had attended President Bidhya Devi Bhandari daughter's marriage ceremony in Sheetal Niwas in January.