Pats, I couldn't agree more when u say that "Guthis own very valuable assets worth billions of rupees but they are ill managed." Yesterday I was watching this new TV channel that was airing an episode alluding to corruption in Pasupati Trust. According to the program, the trust has a bank balance in excess of Rs. 17 crores. It also revealed a problem that you have brought , ie, government/private properties built on Pasupati Development Trust's land, but not paying any rent or compensation.

I agree that land/property that is idle must be handed back to guthis. No doubt there. As far as other properties already in use, I don't see them being given back. Plus, no fair minded person, unlike BC, would say give back Singha Durbar ( i did not know, it once belonged to a guthi. do u know which one, though?). There is just too much at stake besides real estate value. We need alternatives. So your idea of just compensation is probably overdue.

I am more worried about guthis that are crumbling and aren't as rich as some of the others. When I see temples and our cultural heritage decaying with no signs of restoration, I am saddened. Even the prominent temples like Baglamukhi and even Pasupati to cetain extant need restoration works. I mean there is garbage everywhere. The other day I went to Karya Binayak. The place was a mess with left over food everwhere. The oil lamps had so much resin leftover that it seemed to me the lamps weren't cleaned since they were first erected. And guess where they stood? Right under the bell; so all the bells were smothered with black fumes. Sometimes I wonder where people go to temples to prey or to carry sickness (unintended)back home. Shouldn't the temple authority do more about cleaning the place, removing the garbage, controling the street dogs? But whose going to tell them? Will they listen? Whose going to pay for it? That is why I also ask for guthis to revamp and get re-energized. The guthis probably lack of funds or proper managment or both.

Did the Maoists open a can of worms? I don't know for sure. I think it was bad policy and politics. But judging by the number of protests that we see here in KTM, whatever one does that pisses off a bunch of people could be viewed as opening a pandora's box. For now, I believe the problem is solved as they have reversed their decision.

It should be interesting in the future. I heard they have cut funding for sacarifices that are to take place in Dasai. Can't confirm this. But if true, do u expect to see a similar uproar from the public?