Kathmandu - A controversy is brewing in Kathmandu over King
Gyanendra's defiance of the government in attending a religious
ceremony that traditionally signifies a divine blessing to rule the
country for another year.
The embattled king - who was prevented from attending the opening
of one of Kathmandu's most colour festivals, Intdra Jatra, last week
by the government - sought the blessing of a girl believed to be a
living goddess Sunday night on the final day of the festival.
The move prompted Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to seek
clarification from the royal palace, which he called Monday,
demanding the reason why Gyanendra sought the blessing, media reports
said.
Gyanendra received a traditional 'tika,' or spot of red vermillion
on his forehead, as well as a blessing from the goddess Kumari at her
official residence.
It came an hour after the prime minister sought a similar blessing
in his capacity as head of state.
The Nepal Samacharpatra newspaper reported the king who came with
limited security, even shook hands with the local people.
Opinion is divided over the government's move to bar the king from
attending the religious ceremonies.
The Indra Jatra festival is celebrated by the people from the
Newar community, considered the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu
Valley.
Many members of the community said only a reigning monarch can
receive such a blessing and the prime minister's attendance was
unacceptable.
The Nepalese government has moved to curtail religious and
cultural duties of the king to try to limit his influence since a
mass movement toppled his government in April 2006.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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