Madurai: The King of Nepal Gyanendra accompanied by his Queen Komal Rajalakshmi Devi, offered worship at the Sri Meenakshi Amman-Sundareswarar temple in Madurai on March 24.

The King and his entourage, accompanied by the officials of the external affairs ministry, were given a traditional welcome by folk dancers at the entrance of the temple.

Later they were received by the temple priests with 'Poornakumbha Mariadai' (at the temple's south gate entrance).

The temple's main deity Goddess Meenakshi was bedecked with the diamond crown, adorned on the deity only thrice a year. The King worshipped the Goddess as the priests performed 'archana' at the Sri Meenakshi and Sundareswarar temples.

The King spent about an hour going around the temple. He was presented a silk shawl, books on temple history, and 'prasadams' near the temple's Golden chariot where the King and Queen were seated. The royal couple signed the visitor's book at the temple.

Earlier, the King was received at the airport where he arrived by a special aircraft, by District Collector Dr B Chandramohan.

PTI