KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah has decided to celebrate this year’s Bada Dashain in a subdued manner in view of the recent natural disasters that have caused significant loss of life and property across the country.
A notice issued by the Communication Secretariat at Nirmal Niwas on Sunday confirmed that the former king will not offer tika and jamara to the general public on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami this year.
According to the secretariat, the decision comes amid the difficult circumstances caused by landslide-triggered floods in August and persistent heavy rainfall in September. The disasters have claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands of people and caused extensive damage to property.
The secretariat said the former king had decided to observe Bada Dashain in a simple manner, while upholding his faith, values and dignity and remaining mindful of the suffering and losses faced by affected families.
The traditional public tika and jamara ceremony, which has been held at Nirmal Niwas on Bijaya Dashami in previous years, will therefore not take place this year.
The decision reflects the former king’s gesture of solidarity with people affected by the recent disasters during one of Nepal’s most significant festivals.
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