Nepal Sanskrit University (formerly Mahendra Sanskrit University) established in December 1986, has its central office at Beljhundi in Dang district of Mid-Western Development Region, Nepal. The university offers Intermediate (Uttar Madhyama), Bachelor (Shastri), Bachelor of Education, Masters (Acharya) and Doctoral courses in classical and modern subjects. It also offers intermediate in Ayurveda and condensed courses for Ayurvedacharya. The university has 12 constituent and 13 affiliated Vidhyapithas (campuses) situated in different parts of the country. Inspired by the long unbroken tradition of Sanskrit in Nepal, the university was established for the following purposes: MSU also offers facilities for degree and non-degree research works based on Sanskrit. It also organizes training programs on Vedic and Buddhist teaching and Yoga training. His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the Chancellor of Mahendra Sanskrit University. The Pro-Chancellor is the Minister for Education. The Vice-chancellor is the Chief Administrator of the University. On May 12, 2002, fires caused 27.5 million rupees worth of damage to the university.