Indian state of Rajasthan to pay for Pashupatinath trip

Indian state of Rajasthan has decided to pay for airfare of its senior citizens – above 65 years – coming on pilgrimage to Pashupatinath in Kathmandu.
According to Indian media, “The Rajasthan government has decided to fly its senior citizens free of cost to three more pilgrimage destinations, including Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal, an official statement said Thursday.”
The three new locations have been added by the Ashok Gehlot government in the list of 6 existing destinations, the media reported, adding that the Indian state of Rajasthan has been bearing pilgrimage expenses of senior citizens under the ‘Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme’.
Pashupatinath Temple – listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1979 – has been a prime destination for Hindu pilgrims across the globe. Indian nationals top the visitors’ number every year due to religious tourism during February, when Maha Shivaratri, a major festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, is celebrated.
The latest decision of the Indian state government is likely to help promote Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign too.