His Majesty the King Gyanendra was felicitated by a religious organization here in the capital Friday afternoon. During the occasion, Her Majesty, Queen Komal was also present.

Hindu rituals were performed and the King was given a felicitation note by the organizers. The King afterwards handed over Om Bishwo Hindu Sewa Ratna (an award) to religious leaders and organizations for their contribution towards safeguarding Hindu religious practices and thoughts.

Speaking on the occasion Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa lauded the efforts of the organizers, saying such felicitations would help establish a different identity of the nation and the monarchy to the rest of the world.

Delegates from foreign diplomatic missions as well as people from various religious groups such as Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and others took part in the ceremony.

The World Hindu Federation that organized the ceremony stated that its objective to felicitate the King was to highlight the essence of the King as the patron of Hinduism. Nepal is the only country in the world having a Hindu monarch.