In 2007, Nepal had classified homosexuality as a crime, punishable by up to two years in prison, but now, the Himalayan nation is about to become the first in Asia to allow same-sex marriages.

It is also promoting gay weddings on the world famous Mt. Everest in an attempt to become the continent's top gay tourism destination.

"We're completely changing this country. It's a newborn republic ufffd and we want to showcase this change," The Times quoted Nepal's Tourism Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari, as saying.