King Gyanendra now barred from giving alms during Shivaratri
After losing most of his royal powers including “cultural rights” to preside over important religious events like Bhoto Jatra and Indra Jatra following the fall of his regime, King Gyanendra has now been barred from even giving alms and offerings to Sadhus.
As from this year on the country’s monarchs would not be allowed to present alms and offerings to hermits and ascetics - called sadhus, naga babas, jogis, shramans on various occasions – who come on a pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu in throngs from all over the nation and India to celebrate the Mahashivaratri festival.
One of the greatest festivals of Hindus, devotees throng at the Pashupatinath Temple in thousands on the day to offer prayers to lord Shiva for their and their loved one’s well being.
Instead, the Pashupatinath Temple’s Guthi Sansthan would distribute the alms and offering to the Sadhus on behalf of the government. To discuss about the new arrangement the officials of the Guthi Sansthan had met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence Wednesday morning.
After the meeting the Guthi Sansthan officials said that from now on it will distribute the alms and offerings to the Sadhus visiting the temple on the Mahashivaratri festival.
In previous years, the reigning monarch used to present the alms and offerings to Sadhus- one pair of clothes, blankets and minor allowances – and Guthi Sansthan used to oversee the distribution.
It might be recalled here that the King is no more the patron of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) as he used to be earlier and Nepal is no more a Hindu Kingdom.
During last year’s Shivaratri festival an unidentified group had even pelted stones at the motorcade of King Gyanendra when he was returning from Pashupatinath temple.
Meanwhile, the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) has said that it has completed all necessary preparations for Thursday’s Shivaratri festival.
Over 300,000 devotees and 4,000 sadhus from Nepal and India has been expected to attend this year’s Mahashivaratri festival. nepalnews.com ag Mar 05 08
