Blessing for king from living goddess arouses controversy in Nepal

Oct 1, 2007, 8:55 GMT

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.