Ratna Mandir likely to remain open to public on New Year

POKHARA, April 10:Sudan Kirati, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, visited the Ratna Mandir in Pokhara, Kaski district, on Saturday evening.

Kirati, who spent about an hour and a half in the observation, reviewed all issues concerning the Mandir and announced that it would remain open to the public.

According to the minister, the Nepal Trust has been asked to develop a commercial plan to keep it open to the public.

The Nepal Trust is a government entity tasked with taking over the properties of former King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya, and their families and putting them to good use for the people.

"We have put in a lot of effort in this area. We have requested that the Mandir and the palace (Hima Griha) remain open to the public. They will most likely remain open to the public during the Nepali New Year, which falls on April 14 this year "He stated.

He ruled out the construction of structures for commercial purposes on Mandir grounds and renting them out, but vowed that the Ministry would move forward with this in accordance with local people's wishes.

The Mandir and Hima Griha were transferred to the Trust in accordance with the government's decision to transfer all properties belonging to King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya, and their families following the country's republic declaration.