The SAARC Car Rally covered over half the length of its total journey when it completed over 4000 kms on reaching Ramnagar in Uttarakhand state in India after completing its Nepal leg. While in Nepal, the Rally passed through Pokhara, Kathmandu and Lumbini.

In Pokhara, the Rally participants participated in a boat race, which was won by the team from the Maldives. From Pokhara, the Rally moved on to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, where it was received and felicitated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr K P Sharma Oli. A business event on Energy Efficiency and Clean Development Mechanism was also organised jointly by CII and FNCCI earlier the same day.

From Kathmandu, the Rally proceeded to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Enroute, the Rally stopped at Manakamana on the banks of the Trishuli river. The temple of the same name is situated on the top of a ridge overlooking the spectacular valleys of Trishuli and Marshyandgi, and is connected to the valley by Nepal’s only cable car. Renovated many times over the centuries, the 17^th century Manakamana temple is built in the pagoda style and is venerated all over Nepal because of the belief that Manakamana Devi fulfills all wishes.

At Lumbini, the Rallyists visited the birth place of Lord Buddha. It was at Lumbini that Mayadevi, mother of Lord Buddha gave birth to the child under a sal tree in 642 BC. It is one of the four holiest sites of Buddhism. The Rallyists visited the Mayadevi temple and several shrines built by devotees from Buddhist countries.

Sourced From: Confederation of Indian Industry