Yet another brahmin was exiled out of Kathmandu valley to mark the eleventhday ritual of late king Dipendra at an elaborate religious ceremony on the banksof Bagmati here, which witnessed some embarrassing moments including anunexpected demand from the externee and reluctance on the elephant's part tocross the river.
Royal palace officials faced some tough moments when 65-year old Devi PrasadAcharya demanded an audience with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and askedfor a house in addition to the belongings of the late monarch includingornaments and furniture, which were presented to him.
After some bargaining, Acharya relented and partook the `katto '(specialmeal) comprising 'chaurasi vyanjan' (84 dishes), before dressing up like a kingand wearing a plumed crown. The ceremony was conducted at the Kalmochan (freedomfrom death) Ghat by the 'mool pandit' (main priest) Ramesh Nath Pandey.
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Chief Justice Keshab Prasad Upadhyaya and speaker of the lower house Taranath,who are inquiring into the June one palace massacre, which Dipendra is accusedof committing, were seen huddled together with prime minister Koirala at thefunction, which was attended by ministers and senior army and civil officials.
Durga Prasad Sapkota, a 75-year old brahmin, was "exiled" on June11 to mark the eleventh day ritual of Dipendra's father king Birendra. Dipendra'suncle and successor king Gyanendra and other royals were not present "asper the "practice".
Signifying the passage of the soul to its heavenly abode, the brahmin mounteda gaily decorated elephant. However, the pachyderm Moti Prasad, which had killeda woman at Thankot while being brought for the ceremony from Royal Chitwan Park,showed some reluctance in crossing the river and returned giving some tensemoments to scores of journalists and people who had gathered in large numbers towitness the event.
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As security guards took position, mahouts persuaded Prasad to return andproceed on its onward journey to Joalakhel. The brahmin, as per local traditionis considered "impure" after consuming "katto' and is notexpected to show his face in Kathmandu valley for the rest of his life.
Braving the summer sun, hundreds of people carrying umbrellas converged onthe other side of the river as the Acharya crossed the river with a retinue ofporters carrying, among other things, a sofa set, beddings, table and otherhousehold items used by late Dipendra, who was declared king while battling forlife at the Birendra military hospital.
Dipendra, who had allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself, was kingfor the shortest period in the Himalayan kingdom's history. The government haddeclared a public holiday today as a mark of respect to him.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements at the venue, in view of Dipendra'stremendous popularity among the people, who are not willing to believe that hecould have committed the killings, as alleged.
