KATHMANDU, Nepal- Travel and tour operators in Nepal are eyeing the religious tourists those visit various Indian religious shrines attract Nepal aftermath the disaster that shake the Indian state of Uttarkhand.
According to the travel entrepreneurs here, Nepal and its rich Hindu culture and ancient temples could serve as an alternative to flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.
Nepali delegation participated in a roadshow organized in Goa, the most visited Indian tourist destination, has promoted Nepal as the best location for religious tourists. The delegation of representatives from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) as well as the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) are on a promotional tour.
Since, Uttarakhand may be unable to handle tourist volumes in the coming year, Nepal for its Hindu culture may prove to be a good diversion of Indian religious tourists, Sudan Subedi, a Nepal Tourism Board officer said quoting Bodha Raj Bhandari, a travel tour operator who is among the delegation as saying in the event.
NTB also pitched for Nepal as an ideal place for those interested in religious and spiritual tourism.
“Uttarakhand is still coping up with the disaster and will take time to rebuild. Therefore, Nepal, which adjoins the state, is rich in Hindu culture and tradition could be a great place for pilgrimage for Indians,” Bhandari said.
Nepal boasts of several popular temples and other important religious sites related to Hinduism and Buddhism.
Lumbini in Nepal is the birth place of the Buddha at Lumbini. Nepal is also called the abode of Shiva and the birthplace of Sita. The temple circuit in Nepal is culturally rich as well as ancient.
Nepal attracts nearly than eight lakh tourists annually with Indians occupying nearly 30 percent of the air arrivals.
