At Kathmandu’s ‘museum of temples’, light & prayers for the departed. Scenes from Durbar Square
The historic plaza was lit Sunday with dozens of candles & earthen lamps as city residents paid tribute to those who died during the unrest that led to the ouster of Oli govt.
Kathmandu: Around two weeks ago, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square hosted Indra Jatra, one of the city’s largest street festivals, celebrated in honour of Indra—the Hindu god of rain and king of heaven. The same square was lit Sunday with dozens of candles and earthen lamps as people paid tribute to protesters who died during the unrest that led to the ouster of the K.P. Sharma Oli-led government. At least 72 people lost their lives amid the protests.
Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of three public plazas that contain palaces, courtyards and numerous temples. People gathered at sunset near the main complex. Two posters were placed near the steps. One read ‘rest in peace’. People of all ages, many carrying flowers, came to pay their respects with folded hands.
The square, often described as the ‘museum of temples’ and a popular meeting place for young people, became a place to mourn. The steps of the main temple complex, dedicated to rituals, were lined with candles and lamps in memory of the fallen.
Samridhi Mahajan, a 20-year-old college student, said, “This place is very close to our heart and culture, we pray to our gods and celebrate our culture here. It was the right place for this.”
ThePrint’s Manisha Mondal brings you glimpses from the ground.
Thousand of candles seen lit near the main complex of Durbar Square | Manish Mondal | ThePrintA large group gathers around a poster reading ‘Rest in Peace’, surrounded by candles, to mourn those who lost their lives in the protests | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintPeople light candles around a poster in front of a complex in Durbar Square, Kathmandu | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintA different view of the site shows flowers atop the poster | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintA young girl holds a candle as people gather to pay their respects to those who lost their lives during the recent unrest | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintTwo officers from Nepal Police also joined the crowd to pay their respects | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintThis portrait shot shows people gathered to pay their respects, seated on the stairs of one of the complexes in Durbar Square | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintPeople from all age groups were present at Durbar Square | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintA girl holds a poster with Nepali text that roughly translates to read, ‘Even if I die, may my country live on.’ Another holds one, which reads, ‘In your memory, Nepal rises unbroken.’ | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintA hand holding a phone rises above the crowd to take a photo, seen on the left, as two Nepal Police officers pay their respects to the dead | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintA woman at Durbar Square, Kathmandu holds an earthen lamp in memory of those who lost their lives in the Nepal protest | ThePrintA young child lights a candle | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintA man is seen with folded hands, holding a candle | Manisha Mondal | ThePrintPeople are seen around a poster reading “Rest in Peace” | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
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