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Kathmandu Tuesday June 12, 2001 Jestha 30, 2058.
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Late King Birendra bade farewell in surreal
Katto ceremony
By Satish Jung Shahi
KATHMANDU, June 11 – A centuries-old tradition -
colorful at times, solemn and surreal at others - was played out today on the banks
of the Bagmati River which bade religious farewell, probably for the last time ever, to
the beloved late monarch King Birendra.
On Monday morning, the area around the Capital’s
Kalmochan Ghat at Tripureshwore was packed with Hindu priests (Brahmins), government
officials and onlookers. They had gathered there to mark the 11th day Katto ceremony
(Saiyya Daan) of His Late Majesty King Birendra.
While the officials arranged necessary materials required
for the ceremony, the Hindu pundits were performing the rituals of "Saiyya Daan"
that was last performed almost three decades ago after the demise of late King Mahendra.
This particular ceremony, which began during the reign over
Kathmandu Valley by the Malla kings, has been continued by the Shah dynasty of Nepal.
And the Brahmin who volunteered himself for the
Katto-eating ceremony Monday was no other than Durga Prasad Sapkota, the 75-year-old
priest who hails from the district of Kavre. Officials said the Katto (the special meal
devoured by Sapkota today) composed of 84 delicacies, including meat of a he-goat, which
was sacrificed earlier on the day.
At about 11:30 a.m., he was in the center of the tented
room surrounded by offerings from the Royal Palace that were made especially for him. And
there were necessary household furnitures like study table, bed, sofa set, cupboard and
other daily essentials, including personal belongings of the late King — such as
briefcase and walking stick.
A large amount of gold and silver including cash was also
offered to the Brahmin.
"Brahmins are considered to be pure...,"said
Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu as he ordered policemen to
handle the crowd of curious onlookers. "The offerings symbolize sort of bidding
farewell and wishing well-being for the late King, who will now return to Baikuntha (the
heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu)."
People in Nepal, the only Hindu Kingdom in the world,
believe that the King is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
"One does not even drink water at the mourning place
where the 11th day ceremony of the dead takes place…Hence, the Brahmin who eats a
wholesome meal that day used to be hated by the locals," Bhattarai further said.
"But things are different now. We have been carrying
on the tradition that has been coming down since ages to wish well being for the departed
soul," he added.
As the septuagenarian Brahmin devoured the giant meal
prepared especially for him, national as well as international media personnel focused
their attention on him, even ignoring the presence of high-ranking officials and security
personnel. PM Girija Prasad Koirala, Chief Justice Kesav Prasad Upadyaya and Speaker of
the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat were present at the function, as were other
high-ranking government, army and police officials.
One could see Sapkota getting dressed in traditional
gold-embroidered Nepali dress and a replica of the crown (Shree-Pech) was placed atop his
head, representing the departed King. He also wore sunglasses and shoes belonging to the
late King, before he was taken on an elephant-ride across the Bagmati to Kupondole and
then to Jawalakhel, Lalitpur district. The elephant was also donated to the Brahmin.
According to CDO Bhattarai, Sapkota will stay in Kattepati,
Jawalakhel, for the next 24 hours, from where he is scheduled to leave either for his home
in Kavre or "wherever he wishes to go".
Laxmi Prasad Risal, chief at Kausi Tosakhana (a government
treasury), said after the colorful ceremony was over, that the departure of the elephant
symbolizes that the late King has now "left for Baikuntha and that he will not have
to return again."
Tradition has it that the Brahmin who undergoes the process
of leaving the Valley (known as "Danda Katne" in the local language) after
consuming the Katto, is not supposed to return to the Valley. The Brahmin, who is provided
enough money by the royal Palace, is then supposed to leave for elsewhere.
"But things have changed. The Brahmin may return if he
wishes to but not on the attire he has presently left the city," says Risal.
Likewise, belongings of late Queen Aishwarya is being
presented as offerings to the Chief Priest at the Royal Palace today, officials said. A
similar function is being held on Wednesday, marking the 11th day of the death of late
King Dipendra.
The 13th day function for all the Royal Family members is
being held at the Royal Palace this Saturday.
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