The Royal Crown symbolizing the 240-year-old existence of monarchy in the country has been put on display at the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
Now, the common people can observe this special and precious jewel-studded crown at the museum-turned Narayanhiti Palace. The Palace was converted into a museum following the establishment of the federal democratic republic system in Nepal.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated an exhibition of the Royal Crown, Sceptre and other regalia used by the Shah dynasty kings amidst a ceremony here today.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister said the existence of monarchy had already become a history of Nepal as the system was based on the principle of 'supposed' divine power.
He went on to say that he was, however, happy to inaugurate the exhibition. He utilized the moment to remember the names of Lakhan Thapa, Yogmaya Neupane, Krishna Lal Adhikari, Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Balkrishna Sama, Krishna Prasad Koirala, Manmohan Adhikari, BP Koirala, Matrika Prasad Koirala, Ram Nath Dahal and all those martyrs who fought for causes for an end to authoritarian rule.
He said he had led one of such movements some 48 years ago. Describing the roles of former monarchs in history for nationality and unification 'positive', the Prime minister said the right to rule by birth was not and could not be logical and justifiable under any circumstances.
Peoples-elected ruling system was a logical system, he said, adding that an exhibition of Royal Crown would make the people aware of big political change in the country.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Prasad Adhikari was of the view that a display of historic artifacts relating to the Nepalese monarchy would help attract tourists from home and abroad to the museum.
The House of Representatives reinstated following the 2006 people's movement declared the country the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in May, 2008 by abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy.
Director General of the Department of Archaeology Bhesh Narayan Dahal said that the palace was turned into a museum on February 26, 2009. He said the crown, the sceptre, tiara and other items have been put on display at present.
On the occasion, culture expert Dr. Jagman Gurung , Director General of the Department of Archaeology Dahal, Tribhuvan University professor Dr. Madan Rimal, Department under secretary Damodar Gautam, under-secretary Ram Bahadur Kunwar and former chief of the Department, Rohit Kumar Dhungana, among others, were felicitated for their contribution to the establishment of the museum.
Talking informally after the program, culture expert Satya Mohan Joshi informed that the plumes used in the crown of Nepali kings used the plumes of the bird of paradise found in Australia.
The crown also contained 730 diamonds and 372 pearls. The tradition of the Kings wearing the crown by the kings started in Nepal since the time of king Rajendra Bikram Shah.
