Documents on Priests and Priestly Services

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 especially helpful in the study of Nepal's religious and cultural history. Sometimes there were disputes among temple priests about the legitimacy. Mostly the local judicial bodies and sometimes even higher government authorities were involved to settle such disputes and thus 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 allowed to grant prāyaścitta (VS 1871)

K_0003_0017A: A copy of a lālamohara from King Rājendra confirming the office of priest upon Saṃkaradatta Jhā (VS 1887)

K_0355_0060: A petition by Kamalākānta Upādhyāya to be allowed to retain his priestly duties at a 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 made by Kṛṣṇacandra Jhā to Candra Śamśera to maintain his priestly post at Viṣṇu, Umāmaheśvara and Cyāsiliṃ Kṛṣṇa temples in Patan (VS 1964)

K_0355_0066: A letter from Patan Potā Tahasila to the Guṭhī Bandobasta re settling questions of priestly authority over temples in the Patan Darbar area (VS 1964)

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