Special prayers conducted for Narendra Modi in Varanasi

Special prayers were held in Varanasi for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Monday before his inauguration as the 15th prime minister of India.

The stage is set for Modi's oath-taking ceremony at a grand function in the historic forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Leaders from SAARC countries including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will be attending the grand ceremony.

President Pranab Mukherjee will be administering the oath of office and secrecy to Modi and his council of ministers.