KATHMANDU: The body of Rastrakavi (National Poet) Madhav Prasad Ghimire has been cremated with state honors at Pashupati Aryaghat on Wednesday.

A team of Nepal Army offered a round of salvos in honor of Ghimire as last tributes.

Renowned litterateur and poet Ghimire passed away peacefully at 5:55 pm at his own residence in Lainchaur on Tuesday.

Before Ghimire’s body was taken to Pashupati Aryaghat, Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel reached Ghimire’s house in Lainchaur this morning and paid final tributes to Rastrakavi by draping a national flag over his body.

Other national dignitaries including the Chancellor of Nepal Academy Ganga Prasad Upreti reached Lainchaur to offer tributes to Ghimire.

Nepal Army had conferred an honorary tile of Brigadier General on Ghimire on February 14, 2018.

Ghimire was born on September 23, 1918, at Pustaun Bahundanda in Lamjung.

His popular works include ‘Malati Mangale’, ‘Shakuntala’, ‘Himalwaari Himalpaari’, ‘Gauri’, among others. His last epic titled Ritambhara believed to be full of autobiographical experiences is in the last stage of publication.

Ghimire holds the title of Rastrakavi (Poet to the Nation) for his contribution to the Nepali literature.