On his third visit to Nepal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked the holy city of Janakpur to begin his two-day tour of the country which many say is an attempt to “reset” ties with the Himalayan nation after the diplomatic drop following the 2015 Madhesi crisis.

At Janakpur, the birthplace of Goddess Sita, Modi’s first stop was the historic Janaki temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Sita. Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli received the Indian PM at the temple.

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The PM then offered prayers at the temple, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. Wearing a pink headgear, the PM performed a ceremonial puja as per “khodasopachar” rituals.

Read More: PM Modi prays at Janaki temple, flags off Janakpur-Ayodhya bus with Nepal PM

After the ceremony, the PM took some time out to write in the visitor’s book. In his message in Hindi, the PM called the visit the fulfillment of a very old wish.

This is what the message reads:

“Today I fulfil a very old desire of mine to visit the Janakpur Dham. It is a memorable experience for me to visit this pilgrimage site which holds special place in the hearts of people of India and Nepal.

I am indebted to the people of Janakpur and the Nepal Government for the warm reception accorded to me. On behalf of all Indians, I wish for the peace, progress and prosperity in the lives of people of Janakpur and Nepal.

Jai Siya Ram”

The PM concluded the message with his signature.

After offering prayers, PM Modi and Oli jointly flagged off a bus connecting Janakpur to Ayodhya – the birthplace of Lord Ram – in Uttar Pradesh in India.

Speaking on the occasion, the PM hailed the centuries old ties between Janakpur and Ayodhya and expressed confidence that the bus service will contribute to the strengthening of tourism ties between the two countries.

At a public reception held in his honour, PM Modi likened the relation between India and Nepal to the relation between Ayodhya and Janakpur under King Dashrath and King Janak.

“India and Nepal are two nations who are tied by a history spanning eras. Raja Dasdhrath and Raja Janak not only tied Ayodhya and Janakpur but also India and Nepal in a bond of friendship,” said Modi.

Read More: Ayodhya is incomplete without Janaki, says PM Modi referring to India-Nepal relation

Highlighting the religious significance of Janakpur, the PM said that Ayodhya would be incomplete without Janaki – a reference to Sita.

He added that the relationship cannot be defined as mere strategic, diplomatic and political. “We are tied by Dev-niti. People and governments will come and go but this relation will remain forever,” he emphasised.