Drone video shot at Pashupati without permission

KATHMANDU, July 30: A kotihom is currently underway on the Pashupatinath Temple premises in the Bankali, attracting millions of devotees.

Stories are being recited by narrators including Devi Pratibha, Radhika Dasi, Dinbandhu Pokharel, Chandrakala Sakhi and others in the Kotihom. So far, millions of devotees have visited the Kotihom. The month-long Kotihom was started on July 31. Devotees participating in Kotihom are contributing millions of rupees. An employee of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) said that nearly Rs 20.5 million were collected on Monday alone.

Meanwhile, a dispute has arisen between the Department of Archaeology and the organizers regarding a drone video shot for the Kotihom. The main organizer, Balayogeshwar Vijay Krishnamurti Maharaj, posted a video on his Facebook page showing not only the Kotihom but also the Pashupatinath Temple area, Bagmati River, Hansamandap area, Kailash Danda, and the main temple. The video appears to have been captured by a drone, which has sparked a controversy.

The organizers claimed that they did not film the drone video themselves but shared one taken by someone else. The Department of Archaeology has stated that filming the temple area with a drone requires their permission. Given the Pashupati area’s sensitivity from an archaeological perspective, flying drones over the temple premises without proper authorization is prohibited.

Vijay Krishna Murti Maharaj stated, "We do not have a drone camera. We did not shoot the video ourselves. We only shared a video that someone else shot." He added that his Facebook account is managed by his staff, not by himself. "I am very busy and have not been able to manage Facebook. It is likely that my staff have been running it under my name."

Rewati Raman Adhikari, spokesperson for the PADT, stated that the organizers are allowed to shoot 'indoor' videos within the Kotihom event but are not permitted to use drones for 'outdoor' videos in areas such as the temple premises and Kailash Danda.

The PADT did not grant permission to the organizers to use drones for filming videos of the temple premises, according to him. Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Saubhagya Pradhananga, stated that filming with drones in the Pashupati area is only permissible with the approval of the Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Communications, and the PADT. She emphasized that filming with drones without such permissions is a very serious matter.

She clarified that the Department did not grant permission for filming drone videos of the Pashupati area. She stated that the department will inquire into the matter and recommend action if it is confirmed that drone footage was taken without authorization.

She also expressed her serious objections regarding pits dug at the Kotihom. The organizers of the Kotihom have claimed that ancient Lichchhavi-era ruins were discovered in the exscavated areas, and she stated that excavating without the Department's permission is an unauthorized activity.

"Pits have been dug illegally at the Kotihom. “We have sent a letter to the PADT instructing them to fill the pits," she said. The spokesperson for the PADT added that the PADT had not granted permission to dig pits in the Hansmandap area.

Organizer Balayogeshwar stated that they dug the pits with permission from the PADT. "We obtained permission from the PADT to dig the pits. We have followed all procedures to conduct the Kotihom properly. When we say Kotihom, it also involves a ritual fire ceremony," he said. "To perform the fire ceremony, digging the pits is necessary."

The Kotihome, organized by 11 associations including the Manav Sewa Foundation Nepal and Hindu Sena Nepal, is expected to attract over 1 million devotees. It has been heavily promoted with the slogan "For the first time in history."

There is also a controversy regarding the day the Kotihome commenced. Some astrologers argue that the chosen date for the Mahayagya was inauspicious, claiming that performing rituals on the day of Dashami in the Shukla Paksha of Ashadh would only yield painful results. Organizer Balayogeshwar, however, stated that the Kotihom was started after consulting with the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.

Details of donation to Devi Pratibhaji while bidding farewell kept confidential

According to an employee of the PADT, Devi Pratibha Parajuli has bid farewell to the Kotihom since Monday. It is said that she received Dakshina (donation) on Monday itself. Both parties have kept the details of the donation confidential.

Parajuli delivered Ramkatha sermons on Sunday and Monday mornings. At the special request of the organizers, she extended her stay and recited stories from the scriptures for an additional two days at the Kotihom. She was originally scheduled to return to India on Saturday.

Parajuli, who was born 23 years ago in Mandan Deupur Municipality, Kavre, went to study in Vrindavan, India, at the age of 12. There, she completed her education up to the Acharya level in Sanskrit. She also began her storytelling career from there. When she returned to Nepal, she came with eight security guards. The presence of these security guards has ignited hot debates on social media.