IN PICS: Prithivi Jayanti being observed today

KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The 300th birth anniversary of King Prithvinarayan Shah is being celebrated across the country today by organizing a variety of programs. The event is celebrated every year on Poush 27 of the lunar calendar.

Prithvinarayan Shah was born on 27 Poush 1779 BS in Gorkha to King Narabhupal Shah and Queen Kaushalyavati. Prithvinarayan became the King of Gorkha on Chaitra 25, 1799 BS. Before that, Nepal was divided into 52 principalities. After Prithvinarayan became king, he succeeded in extending the border of Nepal from Tista in the east to the Chepe river in the west. After the demise of Prithvinarayan, his successors worked to expand the state of Nepal to the fort of Kangada in the west.