KATHMANDU: Tourism Minister Adhikari’s mortal remains has reached Pokhara. His body was taken to Tribhuvan International Airport from where it was flown to his hometown.

Thousands have gathered at the Exhibition Center in Pokhara where his body has been kept for condolences.

Earlier, all the seven bodies including that of Adhikari had been been kept at Tundikhel where thousands of heartbroken people paid their last respects to the departed souls.

As per the cabinet’s decision, the Adhikari’s body will be cremated with state honor at Ramghat in Pokhara today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Ishwor Pokharel is taking part in the final rites for  Adhikari, representing the government.

Secretariat members of the Nepal Communist Party, Bamdev Gautam and Narayan Kaji Shrestha are also attending the funereal ceremony of Adhikari. As announced at Tundikhel, Gautam and Shrestha will drape the party’s flag over the body of late Adhikari while Minister Pokharel will drape a national flag on his mortal remains.

A cabinet meeting held at Baluwatar on Wednesday evening had decided to accord state funeral to Adhikari.

Final rites for five people who lost their lives in the chopper crash on Wednesday will be performed at Pashupati Aryaghat today while that of Ang Chhiring Sherpa, Managing Director of Yeti Airlines, will be held on Sunday.

Seven people, including Adhikari, had died in the chopper crash that occurred in Taplejung district on Wednesday.