Shortage of priests for performing Sorha Shradha rituals

Hari Prasad Koirala, Ularabari, Oct. 5: Although the number of people performing rituals for their deceased ancestors is increasing, the number of priests is declining. As a result, there is now a shortage of priests to perform sorha shraddha rituals in eastern Morang.

Because of the shortage, a single priest sometimes has to visit the homes of three or four yajamans (families/clients) in a single day to perform shraddha.

Many elderly priests who possessed extensive knowledge of traditional scriptures have already died, while some have become physically unable to continue the work.

At the same time, the younger generation has shown less interest in Sanskrit education and religious rituals. The state has also not paid sufficient attention to producing skilled manpower through Sanskrit schools and gurukuls.

According to Deepak Parajuli, associate professor at Pindeshwar Vidyapeeth in Dharan and an expert in religious rituals, if Sanskrit secondary schools are converted into ordinary secondary schools and gurukul education is not properly managed, the shortage of people qualified to perform religious rituals will become even more serious.

“Once the system for producing guru disappears, priests cannot simply be found whenever they are needed,” he said.

According to Pandit Bedha Prasad Bhandari of Kanepokhari-6, there is not much pressure on priests at other times, but demand for them rises sharply during the period of shraddha.