Offerings made in Pashupatinath embezzled Publication: KANTIPUR Date: December 16 Page No: 1 Kathmandu: Since the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has not implemented the directions given by the Supreme Court (SC) for the management of funds, no records have been kept about the income and expenditures of the temple. Devotees are surprised to see the amount that is made public as the annual income of the temple. According to the provisions in the regulations governing the Trust, 60% of the total income would be given to the Bhattas and Bhandaris and remaining 40% to PADT. But since the Bhattas filed a case again the regulation, SC had formulated another regulation one and a half years ago that was to be approved by the Council of Ministers. But the SC order has not been followed. People could not believe when the Pashupatinath Bhandar Tahabil- the body that has been managing the offerings made at the temple- Sunday made public a statement saying that the annual income of the temple this year was only Rs.143, 000. One of the employees said that there is no truth in the statement. Even the employees seem dissatisfied with the Trust for not being able to manage the funds. Shyam Shekher Jha, administrator of PADT accepted that the trust does not have its say on the income of the temple. He said, 'Complications arose due to delays in implementation of the SC orders.' On the other hand, Head Priest Rawal Mahabaleshwor said that he is ready to carry out the rituals under the existing legal provisions. He said, 'Bring in any type of provision but, get the approval from Council of Ministers.' In reality, the Bhattas are against making public the amount of offerings made in the temple. But the Mul Bhattta (head priest) said, 'It seems that we are obstacles to making the public the temple's income. But it is not so. We appreciate the generally accepted norms. But, the temple is not an industry that would have turnover amounting to millions of rupees.' According to Govinda Tondon, former member secretary of PADT, who has his Ph D on the Pashupati Area, the amount that is made public forms only a small portion of the total amount collected as offerings to the temple. This doesn't include the amounts given as donations by the devotees. He said that the Bhattas and Bhandaris take such amounts (donations). So, what could be the actual earning of the Pashupati temple? Govind Tandon said, 'Only the Bhattas and Bhandaris have idea on the actual earning. But, they won't say a word about it. They are scared that they would have to wash their hands off the amount that they are presently earning if they say anything about the amount that is collected in the temple.' The trend of making public the amount collected in the Pashupati temple began in 2044 BS. The Bhattas and Bhadaris put the amount provided as donations in the donation box only upon special request of the devotees and only the amount collected in the donation box is made public. There is a trend of buying gold with the money collected because of the fear that the paper notes may decay. Funds collected in Pashupati have not been properly managed due to frequent obstructions from the Bhattas. The management has records about the funds collected only since 2017 BS. According to sources, depending on the season, each Bhatta earns around Rs.1 million on an average and a Bhandari earns around Rs. 500,000 per month. Sources said, 'The PADT had even said that the Bhattas would be provided Rs.600, 000 per month and Rs.400, 000 would be given to the Bhandaris if they do not embezzle the amount collected in the temple. But, they did not agree.' However, employees of PADT that owns 5,316 ropanis of land said that they get their salary from the money collected as entry fee from tourists and the parking collection and the amount collected from the local flower sellers. He added that the money collected in this way is also used for the conservation of the temple. Even the Office of the Auditor General has given directions for the management of the funds collected in the temple. When enquires were made about the money, the jewelleries and other valuables kept in the upper floor of the temple, Bhattas did not gave their consent saying that the God would be angry.