According to Paramananda Shakya, PADT member secretary, the new Bhatta (main priest) can be either of Nepali origin or someone from a traditionally accepted family from India. The new regulations however, have completely changed the way in which the Bhatta is selected.
"Traditionally, the Rajgurujyu [royal priest) recommended the Bhatta which was approved by the king, but since monarchy has been abolished, we have decided to select the Bhatta after a proper procedure by an expert committee," says Shakya.
The new regulations include a detailed selection procedure, qualification requirements and remuneration details for the Bhatta, as well as qualification details and remuneration details for the Bhandaris.
As per the regulations, the main Bhatta shall receive Rs 21,000 as basic salary with an added allowance of Rs 1,000 per day along. There is a detailed list of perks and benefits.
Traditionally the Bhatta and the Bhandaris (caretakers of the temple) split amongst themselves all the money and goods that devotees offered at the temple. The new PADT regulations wish to change just that.
"The new regulations say that the Bhattas and the Bhandaris should deposit all the money received as offerings at the PADT," says Shakya.
The Bhandaris, however, say they disagree with the new regulations and will not recognize them.
"According to a Supreme Court verdict of 2002, the regulations will be effective only after verification by the cabinet. PADT hasn´t contacted us while formulating the new regulations so we will not recognize them," says Hariharman Bhandari, a Bhandari of Pashupatinath.
The Bhandaris are the traditional caretakers of the Pashupatinath temple and serve the Pashupatinath in a rotational basis. Previously in January, the Bhandaris had protested appointment of a Nepali priest as well as the PADT´s cash collection policies by not opening the door of the temple and by conducting street protests. The PADT had withdrawn its decision once the prime minister ordered them after continued public pressure.
kushal@myrepublica.com
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