'No permission given to anyone to build replica of Pashupatinath temple'

Authorities at Nepal's Pashupati Area Development Trust on Saturday said that permission has been given to anyone to build a replica of world-famous Pashupatinath temple here in India.

A statement from Pashupati Area Development Trust (PT) came in wake of media reports stating that a replica of Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu was being constructed in a vill in Uttarakhand.

centuries-old temple is devoted to Hindu god Shiva, in his avatar as Pashupati, protector of animals.

“re is truth in news report that Pashupatinath Temple is being built in Uttarakhand of India and Trust’s attention has been drawn towards this false news report,” Dr Ghanashyam Khatiwa, executive director of PT said in a statement.

“We object to such a false news report that has appeared in a section of media,” Khatiwa told PTI.

Situated on banks of holy River Bagmati on eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Pashupatinath is most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. It attracts hundreds and thousands of Hindu pilgrims from across world apart from being a major tourist destination.

“Pashupati is centre of faith for all Hindus and such a false news report published in media has given a blow to entire Hindu community that has deep faith in Pashupati Darshan,” statement said.

It furr asserted that Trust “has t taken any decision” to provide any kind of permission or approval to build replica of Pashupatinath Temple in India. ]]