B.Coffee we differ, not so much in principle (we both agree the importance of culture (Indra Jatra here) and we both have similar thoughts on animal sacrifice), but in the way we would like the government and other stakeholders to have handled the situation (and how such incidents should be handled in the future). I have given rough (not expert) but a set of ideas/alternatives on how to slove this problem and how to avoid such problems in future. You too could see yourself as a problem solver. And you have 2 clear suggestions. One- the govenment should fund (we agree here in parts). Two- if the govenment does not fund, give the land back.

  I am unaware about the govrnment and the guthis' land deal. I know that private individuals have encroached upon guthi and temple lands but I am not aware about government incursion. I should not be saying "incursion" because as you put it, it was more of a deal. So I have some question to you. How much land did the guthis give up? For how many years? When did this agreement take place? What were the exact terms and conditions besides funding?Now, for a moment let's assume that guthis (associated with Indra Jatra) get their lands back. Will they be able to self finance Indra Jatra? Finally, is this the best solution?

The lands that were taken probably are already in use. May be the plots have been used to make the roads wider (hence increasing the real estate value of the community) or some community facility (eg Police Station again benefitting of the community) must already have been built. Again, as long as these properties have been used in benefit of the community, I don't see a problem there (as apposed to private encroachment) and I can't understand why some of you are fuming and thinking great injustice has been done to the community. Surely, the lands are not lying idle. Giving back the land is very unlikely to happen.

Why not look forward?