Pokhara, Apr. 5: Minister of State for Women and Social Welfare Kamala Devi Panta inaugurated the Shrimad Devi Bhagvat Mahapurana and Vishista Dhanyanchal festival here today.

At the religious programme was organised by Ramghat Dah-Sanskar (cremation) Paropakar Samiti,  Minister of State Panta observed that a society divorced from spiritual knowledge would be meaningless.

Bachan Shiromani Pandit Narayan Prasad Pokharel said the 9-day religious programme was started on the occasion of Chait Shukla Navaratri, one of the four Navaratris. The festival managing committee coordinator Sapta Bahadur Thapa presided.