Documents on Priests and Priestly Ministries

Dispute regarding priestly services

There are thousands of temples and monasteries in Nepal. Priests appointed by social organizations such as guṭhī, or by the government, have played a vital role in the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Documents related to priests are particularly helpful in the study of Nepal’s religious and cultural history. At times, disputes arose among temple priests regarding legitimacy. In most cases, local judicial bodies—and sometimes even higher-level government authorities—were involved in settling such disputes and consequently issued documents. A handful of such documents are presented here.

K_0090_0049: A copy of a rukkā from King Gīrvāṇayuddha confirming Saṃkaradatta Vajhā to the office of priest (VS 1860)

PN_0035_0053: A patra from the dharmādhikāra Jānaki Datta Paṇḍita informing officials and reputable men of specified villages that Sadānanda Bhaṭṭa is authorized to grant prāyaścitta (VS 1871)

K_0003_0017A: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra confirming Saṃkaradatta Jhā’s appointment as priest (VS 1887)

K_0355_0060: A petition by Kamalākānta Upādhyāya requesting permission to retain his priestly duties at an Umāmaheśvara temple in Patan (VS 1962)

K_0355_0061: A statement submitted by Kamalākānta Upādhyāya to the Patan Potā Tahasīla (VS 1964)

K_0355_0063: A petition submitted by Kṛṣṇacandra Jhā to Candra Śamśera to retain his position as priest at the Viṣṇu, Umāmaheśvara, and Cyāsiliṃ Kṛṣṇa temples in Patan (VS 1964)

K_0355_0066: A letter from Patan Potā Tahasila to the Guṭhī Bandobasta regarding the resolution of issues concerning priestly authority over temples in the Patan Darbar area (VS 1964)

K_0166_0010: An official opinion issued by the Guṭhī Bandobasta Aḍḍā in a case involving Dasanārāṃ Kusale, who was relieved of his duties at the Ranipokharī temple (VS 1973)