The Aryaghat authority had not been facing problems managing the unexpected flow of bodies in the immediate aftermath of the disastrous earthquake.
According to Bishwa Prasad, information officer at the temple, a maximum of 249 bodies were cremated on April 27 followed by 201 on April 26. Aryaghat has seen a record number of bodies being brought there for cremation immediately after the quake. But only 43 bodies were cremated on Tuesday, followed by 16 till Wednesday evening."The number of bodies being brought there for cremation has decreased considerably after the mass cremation on Monday," said Pushpa Raj, a ghat worker who cremates bodies. "Normally 25 to 35 bodies are brought to Aryaghat daily for cremation. As the number of bodies being brought here for cremation is decreasing, I can say that the situation is starting to be normal again," he added.
Shova Khadka, 40, a local, said work done by the temple authorities is praiseworthy. "We have to praise the temple authorities for properly managing such a huge flow of bodies to Aryaghat. As far as I know, all the deceased received respectful farewell despite lack of resources," added Shova.
Apart from 12 existing ghats, 16 temporary ghats were set up near the Tilganga Bridge on the side of Pashupathinath Temple. At least 660 bodies of quake victims have been cremated so far, according to Ghat Sewa Kendra Office of the temple.
"Only 10 out of 43 bodies brought here on Tuesday were of quake victims," said an officer at Ghat Sewa Kendra.
The deadly earthquake of 7.8 magnitude that jolted the nation on April 25 has claimed the lives of over 7,600 people.
"So many people lost their lives. I have been visiting the Pashupatinath Temple to offer prayers for all the people who lost their lives," said Shova Khadka. Several quake survivors could be seen thronging the temple and offering prayers on the 12th day after the devastating earthquake.
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