Kathmandu : Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kiranti on Saturday evening observed the Ratna Temple in Pokhara, Kaski district.

Kirati, who spent around one and a half hours in the observation, took stock of all issues relating to the Temple, and announced to keep it open to the public.

The Nepal Trust has been asked to make a commercial plan to keep it open to people, said the minister. The Nepal Trust is a government entity responsible to take ownership of the properties of former King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya and their families, and use them for the welfare of the people.

“We have done much work in this regard. We have asked concerned authorities to keep the Temple and the palace (Hima Griha) open to the public. They will likely remain open to the people coinciding with the coming Nepali New Year on April 14 this year,” he said.

Ruling out the construction of structures for business purposes in the Temple premises and renting them out, he pledged that the Ministry would move ahead to this effect as per the aspiration of the local people.

The Temple and Hima Griha were brought to the ownership of the Trust in line with the government’s decision to transfer all properties belonging to King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya and their families following the republic declaration in the country.