POKHARA: Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel has said religious tourism was the base for the prosperity of the province.

He said the area from Triveni, Gajendramokshyadham of Nawalpur to Damodarkunda of Mustang can be developed as a religious corridor.

Noting that religious tourism can be promoted by developing a shared concept of religious hotspots of the province, he said, adding religious capital can be linked to the culture, social service and other activities for economic gains.

The Kaligandaki River is not only a flow of water but a base of civilization, culture and heritage, CM Pokharel said, adding the province government has formed a committee for the study of its importance and feasibility.

He lauded the management of Bindhyabasini temple committee in systematically running Gurukul, naturopathy, senior citizen service center.

Committee’s Chairperson Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha said they are effortful to make the religious activities further effective.

Senior folk culture expert and poet Tulasi Diwas has received the Hemdevi religion, culture and social service award instituted by the founder chair of the committee, Hem Bahadur Pradhan.