KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah will take a royal bath in the Ganges as a ‘Hindu Emperor’ on Monday.

According to sources, Former King Shah and his wife Komal Shah are scheduled to take a royal bath at the Maha Kumbh Mela being held at Haridwar, a major Hindu religious site in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, on April 12.

The former King Shah couple, who left for India last Thursday for the fair, was given a special welcome by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat.

After reaching Haridwar, Shah visited the Dakshinkali temple and received blessings from Niranjan Peethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashananda Giri.

Sources said that Swami Kailashananda Giri, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Rawat, Pithadhish of Kedarnath and other saints will be present in the royal bathing program.

The first royal bath of Maha Kumbh was held on March 11 and the second royal bath is being held on April 12.

The Shahs left for India last Thursday at the invitation of Niranjan Peethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashananda Giri, the highest office bearer of the Sanyasi tradition.

Addressing the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, former King Gyanendra reiterated on the need to be sensitive towards the Hindu ideals, culture and civilization.

“We need to be sensitive as many of the ideals of Hindu civilization and culture are in line with the human ideals of the world,” former King of Nepal said.