Nepal's ousted king visits temple

The former king drove to the temple on his own

The former king of Nepal, Gyanendra, has visited a Hindu temple, his first public appearance since he was deposed earlier this year.

Gyanendra Shah visited a shrine of a religious sect in Bhaktapur, near the country's capital, Kathmandu.

In April, Nepal's Maoist-led assembly voted to abolish the 240-year-old monarchy and become a republic.

In June, Mr Shah moved out of the palace in the capital where his family had lived for more than a century.

Since then he has lived a quiet life as a commoner in a former hunting palace near Kathmandu.

According to reports, Mr Shah drove to the temple on Thursday - 13km (eight miles) east of the capital - on his own and without any security.

His appearance comes as Nepal is celebrating Dashain, a 15-day Hindu festival marking the triumph of good over evil.

"Let peace prevail in the country and all Nepalese people be able to live and work as per their wish," the former king said in a brief response when questioned by reporters at the temple, the AFP news agency reports.

"I would like to extend my best wishes to all Nepalese on the occasion of the Dashain festival."

The Maoists emerged as the largest party after laying down arms and participating in elections in April.

One of their key objectives was to end the monarchy.