22 Carat Gold in Pashupati’s Jalahari; Further details after completion of investigation  

Kathmandu: Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has measured the weight and quality (carat) of installed gold Jalahari in the Shiva Ling at Pashupati Nath Temple.

CIAA measured the weight and quality of Jalahari under the surveillance of the Nepal Army, APF Police, Nepal Police, and Pashupati Area Development Fund.

Jalahari was brought to the Rudragareshwor; located on the northern side of Pashupati Temple for the examination. Jalahari was constructed in the same place.

According to the Executive Director of the Development Fund Dr. Ghanashyam Khatiwada, 106.4325 kilograms have been found in Jalahari.

The nails that were made for tightening the Jalahari were found to be 1.375 kilograms. It has been found that 22 Caret gold was used in the making of the Jalahari.

What is the Jalahari controversy?

Jalahari gold became controversial even before the beginning of the Pran-Pratishtha Puja. The quantitative error, which took place during the process of making the Muchulka fire Jalahari controversial.

The then Prime Minister and CPN (UML)’s Chairman KP Sharma Oli visited the Pashupatinath Temple on 12^th Magh, 2077. He had written in the visitor’s handbook, ‘I received the privilege of visiting Shree Pashupatinath today. Nepal Government would provide 30 crore rupees (appeared as lacked amount) immediately to fulfill the desires of the Committee for the making of Jalahari. I believe that the Jalahri would be ready till the upcoming Shivaratri.’

On Magh 14, under the Chairmanship of the then Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Bhanubhakta Dhakal led a Fund Board Meeting, which decided to construct the gold Jalahari.

Executive Director Dhakal had decided at the meeting that the Development Fund would bear 50 crore rupees of the expenses of the Jalahari and the rest 30 crore would be provided by the government.

Khatiwada said that 103 kilos of 793.100-gram gold were purchased from the central bank in two installments. According to him, the government recruited Kalidal Gana had taken the responsibility of security, and the Jalahari was constructed in the surveillance of the Gana in Jyasal, Rudragareshwor.

He said that the Muchulka prepared, during the time of construction, coined Jalahari was prepared using 96 kilos 822 grams of gold and was installed over the silver Jalahari and the remaining 10 kilos 976 grams of gold were utilized in the preparation of making a ring for the topmost part of the Jalahari, and golden nails. He said that the remaining parts of the gold were kept in the safe and even it was measured.

Question of Accountant General

The matter reached the court before the installation of Jalahari.  Nepali Congress leader Narottam Vaidya and Advocate Nikita Dhungana had filed a writ in the Supreme Court claiming it was against the heritage of installing gold Jalahari.

The act of installing Laha and nails was halted after the Supreme Court issued Interim Order on 12^th Falgun, 2077 B.S. The Court issued another order for not continuing the interim order on 2^nd Chaitra, 2077. Although the order mobilized the work, it was again halted after a complaint was filed in CIAA.

Gorkhpatra Dainik