Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010956111400.htm

International

Indian priests back at work

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: After a week of controversies, the “nitya puja” has finally resumed at the Pashupatinath Temple as the government requested the recently resigned “mul bhatta” (chief priest) to carry out the regular rituals.

Mahabaleswor Bhatta, the chief priest, along with assistant priests, Ganesh Bhatta and Shri Ram Bhatta performed the ‘nitya puja’ that had been halted after the government accepted Mahabaleswor’s resignation and appointed two Nepali priests.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ revoked the earlier appointments and requested the Indian priests to perform their duties until new priests were appointed.

Power crisis

With 12-hour power cuts, private television channels have announced cutting of five hours of transmission.