NICCI launches book about religious circuits in Nepal and India

KATHMANDU, March 29: Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry hosted a program regarding the launch of the coffee table book "Religious and Spiritual Circuits, Nepal and India" on March 27th, at Patan museum. 

The program hosted the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Sudan Kirati, the Ambassador from India Mr. Naveen Shrivastava, President of NICCI Ms. Shreejana Rana, Tourism Secretary of Nepal Mr. Suresh Adhikari, foreign secretary of Nepal Mr. Bharat Raj Paudyal, and office bearers of various organizations. 

The book features five religious pilgrimage sites from Nepal and India which are:

• Shiva-Shakti Circuit 
• Mahabharat Circuit 
• Ramayan Circuit 
• Buddhist Circuit 
• Sikh Circuit 

The dignitaries who spoke in the program mainly presented the significance of various spiritual sites in Nepal. They focused on the relationship between Nepal and India, and how the various heritages tell a complete story.  

They emphasized on the open borders between the two nations as well. Tourism Minister Mr. Kirati said that along with the borders being open, this book will also promote tourism between the two countries.They also made sure to focus on how connected the two countries are. "Nepali people understand Hindi well, while Indian people are also used to Nepali. This book will further connect the citizens of the two nations." said Mr. Shrivastava. 

They believe this book provides opportunities to document and display the spiritual significance and connection of both Nepal and India, which will further aid tourism in both countries. "This book will not only encourage religious tourism between our nations, it is also a record of the richness and depth of our religious heritage." claimed President of NICCI Ms. Rana. 

The book and each of its circuits were meticulously prepared by scholars and experts from both nations. Ms. Neera Mishra, Dr. Ramesh Dhungel, Dr. Basudev Krishna Shastru, Mr. Rajinder Singh Chadha, Dr. Hari Prasad Adhikari, and many others were responsible for preparing each of the circuits.