This post is in response to the article found on crosswalk.com
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11644717/
Three years after Christian widow Gamala Guide’s husband Narayan Guide passed away, Narayan’s burial site is being threatened by the Nepal government. He was a captain in the Nepal army and a successful man who’s death was a sorrow for many. Narayan is buried next to the most powerful Hindu temple and authorities of the temple are claiming that land. The Pashupatinath temple, which has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, is said to be built in the fourth century, is being renovated due to the expected one million tourists in Nepal this year. Gamala is not the only person worried about her husband’s grave, there are an estimated 200 people buried along with him who risk the chance of loved one’s graves being destroyed.
The forested area around the Pashupatinath temple is explained as unkempt, rotten and over-grown. Twenty years ago, the Nepal government gave 292 hectares of land to groom the land and make it better. There is said to be a five year plan in which they will renovate the lot and the temple itself. In doing this, unfortunately, there will be many burial sites which will have to be removed.
This is devastating to many devout Christians who have loved one’s buried at this temple. Christians are not the only ones who have their beloved buried here, the Hindu sect called Dashnami along with Muslims have also rested at this site. There is uproar since the Pashupatinath is a Hindu temple and other religions have been burying their dead here, which is against Hindu religion. Along with the lot needing major cleaning, the Hindus want to keep their property to themselves. That is their main goal and that is what they will fight to have happen.
