Nepal ex-king in first public appearance since monarchy abolished

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KATHMANDU (AFP) — Nepal's deposed king Thursday visited a Hindu temple in his first public appearance since the abolition of the monarchy in the Himalayan nation.

Former king Gyanendra Shah -- regarded by loyalists as the incarnation of a Hindu god -- has been living a quiet life since being ousted in May by Nepal's Maoist-dominated assembly.

He now lives as a commoner in a former hunting palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu, pushed out of public life as a result of the peace process that saw the Maoists end their decade-long insurgency.

"Let peace prevail in the country and all Nepalese people be able to live and work as per their wish," the unpopular former king said in a brief response when questioned by reporters at the temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

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

Gyanendra looked relaxed and cheerful and put his hands together in the traditional greeting as crowds of people gathered to see him, witnesses said.

The former monarch -- who drove himself in a jeep to the Hindu temple in Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres (eight miles) east of Kathmandu -- just smiled when asked to comment on Nepal's political situation.

Nepal is currently celebrating the 15-day Dashain Hindu festival, which marks the triumph of good over evil.