Kathmandu, December 2
A new machine has been installed at Pashupati Aryaghat crematorium that uses firewood to cremate bodies.
So far, the crematorium had a machine using electricity for the task. However, some people were reluctant to use that as they believed the Hindu scriptures encouraged using firewood.
Further, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the electronic crematorium has been used for the final rites of the people dying of Covid-19 only.
Realising this, the Pashupati Area Development Trust installed the machine. Culture Minister Yogesh Bhattarai launched the operation of the machine on Wednesday.
The trust says the amount of firewood required to cremate a body with the machine is just the half required in normal cremation. Likewise, it completes burning a body within one and a half hours.
Speaking on the occasion, minister Bhattarai said the government was finalising a master plan for the development of the Pashupati area. He assured it would address concerns of local people also.
