Lumbini : Acharya Balkrishna, the Chair of Patanjali Yogpeeth from India, has said Nepal serves as an accessible and appealing tourist destination for the people of India.

The Patanjali Yogapeeth's chair who arrived Papla this morning to pay homage to the temple of Basantapur-based Kamakhyadevi said, "Indian citizens have convenient access to various tourist destinations in Nepal. The Indian people have deep faith and are drawn to the religious sites in Nepal, owing to the religious and cultural similarities shared between the two countries."

He transported to the temple from Butwal via the Lumbini cable car service and performed a worship dedicating to the Kamakhya Bhagawati.

Following the worships, he talked to media representatives both from Nepal and India. Describing Nepal as a sacred land of Gautam Budhha, Pashupatinath, Muktinath, Janaki and Valmiki Rhishi among others, he advised the Nepal government to come up with programmes that would further encourage tourist arrivals from India. As he said, Nepal holds abundant possibilities for religious, cultural and natural tourism.

He also took time to advise the government to embrace the concepts of Ramayana and Shiva circuits proposed by India to boost its religious tourism.

Furthermore, he suggested that traditions and cultures promoting animal sacrifices should reconsidered as per the changing times. He shared that this time, he had the opportunity to celebrate the Dashain festival in his home district Syangja first time in 40 years. He shed light on the importance of family reunions, a cultural tradition often observed during festivals like Dashain.

On the occasion, Lumbini Cable Car director Rudra Poudel said a five-star hotel is under construction at Basantapur targeting tourists from India.