Baglung, Dec 27: President Ramchandra Paudel today visited the Shaligram Museum at Kundule of Baglung municipality-4.
The President who arrived here this morning to attend the Seventh Baglung Festival took the opportunity to observe the museum.
Shaligram (the ammonite stone) are worshiped as a symbol of Hindu god Vishnu and are considered holy.
On the occasion, he was welcomed by Muktinath Pithadhishwor Swami Kamal Nayanacharya and Rhishi Prapannacharya, among others.
Expressing gratitude to the museum management for their efforts in collecting and preserving shaligram stones from the Kaligandaki River, President Paudel said he holds special connection with Baglung.
He shared that he had spent a significant period in Baglung, including time in Baglung jail during his involvement in the people’s movement of the 1990s.
He also underlined the need of preserving the significance of Kaligandaki, citing that, “Otherwise it may face the fate of Bagamati River.”
Stating that Nepal is rich in cultural, religious and customary dimensions, he drew the attention of all stakeholders to the urgency of protection of culture.
The President further said, “It is essential to preserve the water resources as the earthly life depends on water. Conservations of mountains, forest and rivers are urgent to preserve the sources of water.”
“I have abundant affection for Balgung, I had spent a time here and the communities here have contributions to sending me to the current position,” the President said.
