Fleeing insurgency

KATHMANDU: Forty year old Madhav Prasad Bhandari from Melung VDC Dolakha is a priest at Bhadrakali Temple. He earns just enough to sustain his family through the priesthood.

He moved to Kathmandu some years ago with his family of seven, including his parents, wife and three children (one son and two daughters). He said all three of his kids are currently studying, while his son is learning to become a priest.

He believes that there is god within every human being and goddess Bhadrakali provides us with the energy to sustain life. Before coming to Kathmandu, he worked as a farmer. He said he had no option but to flee his village during the Maoist insurgency era.

Now, having worked as a priest, Madhav wants his son to carry forward his legacy as a priest. He said he does not prefer to go back to village as it has been devastated by the Gorkha Earthquake of 2015.