For many years, devotees have offered prayers at the iconic Swayambhunath temple on Buddha Purnima. But this year its doors will be closed for people on the occasion as temple authorities fear theft of losing sacred objects and artefacts that are lying in the open, post the earthquake that has left large portions of the Buddhist shrine in ruins.
"We are planning to put up a notice requesting people to stay outside the temple on this auspicious day," Chandra Ratna Buddhacharya, a monk, told IANS.
The 36-year-old priest, who is now working as a volunteer after the devastating April 25 earthquake inside the temple, also shared his fear of people picking up religious objects that have been recovered from the debris.
"It is extremely difficult to restrict entry of a 'bhakt' (devotee) to the temple, but earlier someone came inside the temple as a bhakt and was caught stealing an object. Though we left him with a warning, we don't want to face this situation again," said Buddhacharya.
"Also it would be difficult to manage the crowd if we allow devotees to come in because many structures have been destroyed and there is debris everywhere," he added.
Buddha Purnima marks Lord Buddha's birthday, who was born in Lumbini some 200 kms southwest of the Kathmandu valley, will be observed Monday.
Buddhists commemorate the birth of Buddha, his attaining enlightenment and his passing away on the full moon day of May, which falls on May 4 this year.
This Unesco World Heritage Site is situated on a lofty hilltop and had houses, shops and monuments inside the temple complex which have been destroyed after a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal that killed nearly 7,000 people, left over 10,000 injured and displaced millions.
However, the central stupa withstood massive blows of quake and only has suffered slight damage in one of its corners. But the houses, curio shops and religious monuments situated inside the temple premises have been damaged.
And keeping this in mind too, the monk said they don't want to take any chances by opening gates of temple to devotees.
"We are trying to talk to the archeology department and the government if arrangements can be made for a make-shift place outside the temple for the devotees to offer prayers," Buddhacharya told IANS.
Another concern for authorities is the 1,000 clay objects that Unesco has discovered during rescue operation of objects at the temple.
"We have discovered these small-black clay figurines during the rescue mission and they are very sacred. So we just fear that people might pick them up thinking they are taking away blessings of Buddha through these small objects," David Andolfatto, Unesco consultant, told IANS.
Not putting the blame of stealing on people, temple authorities feel lack of archeological awareness among people is what leads to such incidents.
"Temple doors are and will always be open to people. But in times like these, we have no option but to choose what is best for the temple," said Buddhacharya who was born and raised in the temple.
Swayambhunath temple, considered among the oldest religious sites in Nepal, is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus.
(Shweta Sharma can be contacted at shweta.s@ians.in)
