Janakpur, Jan. 26 -- Nepal's former monarch Gyanendra Shah on Monday began a pilgrimage in Madhesh, performing Pooja at the Janaki Temple ahead of the House of Representatives elections scheduled in March.

Shah was welcomed by a sea of followers at the historic temple complex, at a time when the nation is still transitioning after the Gen-Z protests in September last year.

The pilgrimage is seen as an effort by the former monarch to consolidate influence and revive the demand for a constitutional monarchy in Nepal.

Shah, accompanied by family members, arrived in Janakpur on Sunday evening and visited the Janaki Temple on Monday afternoon, surrounded by enthusiastic supporters and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) activists chanting pro-...