The destruction of properties during the recent Gen-Z protests in Nepal has triggered the largest-ever insurance claims in Nepal’s history from a single incident, with claims reaching close to NPR 21 billion to date.

According to data released by the Nepal Insurance Authority, the regulator of the insurance sector, on Thursday, non-life insurers have received 1,984 claims from insured individuals with claims of NPR 20.7 billion by September 16, which is a record high for damages in a single incident.

With assessments of losses being undergone, the claims are expected to rise further. The claims received by insurers so far is more than the claims during the 2015 earthquake, when claims had reached NPR 16.5 billion. Nepal had also launched an insurance scheme in 2020 to cover the risk of COVID-19, and insurers had received claims exceeding NPR 16 billion, according to the regulator.

The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, a branch of India’s Oriental Insurance, has received the largest amount of claims till September 16, according to the data released by the authority. The company alone has received claims of NPR 5.14 billion across 40 cases.

The bulk of this is said to have come from Hotel Hilton Kathmandu, which suffered one of the heaviest losses during the protests. Siddhartha Premier Insurance and Shikhar Insurance, IGI Prudential Insurance, Sagarmatha Lumbini and Company come into the top five positions in terms of receiving the highest amount of claims.

Some of the major business enterprises alone have reported damages worth over NPR 60 billion, according to an official of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), a business body, which is collecting details of damages to the properties of the private sector.

The latest protests saw major properties gutted by fire, including the Hilton Kathmandu Hotel, several outlets of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket, the largest retail chain of Nepal, the headquarters of Ncell, the private sector telecommunication company, an assembly plant and vehicle showroom of Chaudhary Group, owned by Binod Chaudhary, Nepal’s only billionaire listed by Forbes, among others.

-IANS

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The post Gen-Z Protests Trigger Record NPR 21 Billion Insurance Claims In Nepal appeared first on The Commune.

Temple authorities blame monkeys for damaging the Rajagopuram of the Palani Dandayuthapani Swami Temple just a year and a half after its Kumbabhishekam. They assured devotees that repairs are underway, with a reparation puja planned soon.

A few days ago, it was reported that part of the Palani temple Rajagopuram (temple tower) was damaged. The temple, one of Lord Murugan’s six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu), draws thousands of visitors daily from across Tamil Nadu and other states. Annual festivals such as Thaipusam and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated with great devotion, attracting large crowds.

The temple Kumbabhishekam, a sacred consecration ceremony, was last performed on 27 January 2023, after a 16-year gap. However, just a year and a half later, a portion of the top of the Rajagopuram broke off, particularly in the horn-like area on both sides. This unexpected damage has left many devotees deeply concerned. It is also alleged that among the reasons for the damage the authorities gave include damage due to rain or monkeys.

Temple officials acknowledged the damage, assuring devotees that steps are being taken to repair the Rajagopuram. “It is true that a part of the Rajagopuram has been damaged. We are rehabilitating the area, and a small-scale Kumbabhishekam and reparation puja will be performed after the repairs. Devotees should not be alarmed,” a temple official reportedly said.

It is also reported that the temple authorities blamed monkeys for the damage caused to the Palani temple Rajagopuram. The authorities allegedly said, “Kumbabhishekam is done once in 12 years and hence it is normal for the temple towers and surrounding sculptures to be damaged. Monkeys at the Palani temple habitually climb the temple towers and damage the sculptures and relics inside.”

The temple administration stated that only damage to the Kalasam on the temple tower should cause concern, and they are taking steps to repair the damaged part of the Palani temple Rajagopuram, so devotees should not worry.

பொய் சொல்லி சமாளிப்பதில் கில்லாடி திமுக..
இந்த முறை வாய்ப்பு குரங்குக்கு…

கரண்ட் கட்டிற்கு காரணம் அணில் -இது மின்சாரத்துறை அமைச்சர் செந்தில் பாலாஜி

கோவில் கோபுரம் சேதமடைந்ததற்கு காரணம் குரங்கு -இது அறநிலையத்துறை அமைச்சர் சேகர்பாபு

முடியலடா சாமி!@tnhrcedept @PKSekarbabu… pic.twitter.com/6uQTZmnq8M

— M Nachiappan (@BJPNach) October 2, 2024

Notably, the temple had undergone major renovations, with the Palanayam ritual held on 2 December 2019, marking the start of the Kumbabhishekam works. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was delayed by three years before finally taking place in January 2023.

The temple, which is under the purview of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department of the Tamil Nadu government, also saw a hurriedly conducted Kumbhabishekam in 2023.

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The post Palani Temple Rajagopuram Damaged, Temple Officials Blame Monkeys appeared first on The Commune.

Devotees of the famous Palani Dandayuthapani Swami Hill Temple were left shocked after part of the Rajagopuram (temple tower) was found damaged. The temple, one of the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan, draws thousands of visitors daily from across Tamil Nadu and other states. Annual festivals such as Thaipusam and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated with great devotion, attracting large crowds.

The temple’s Kumbabhishekam, a sacred consecration ceremony, was last performed on 27 January 2023, after a 16-year gap. However, just a year and a half later, a portion of the top of the Rajagopuram broke off, particularly in the horn-like area on both sides. This unexpected damage has left many devotees deeply concerned.

Temple officials have acknowledged the damage, assuring devotees that steps are being taken to repair the tower. “It is true that a part of the Rajagopuram has been damaged. We are in the process of rehabilitating the area, and a small-scale Kumbabhishekam and reparation puja will be performed after the repairs. Devotees should not be alarmed,” a temple official reportedly said.

உலக புகழ் பெற்ற பழனி முருகன் கோயிலுக்கு கடந்த 2023ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜனவரி மாதம் 27ஆம் தேதி கும்பாபிஷேகம் நடைபெற்றது. குடமுழுக்கு நடைபெற்று  21 மாதங்களே ஆன நிலையில், கோயிலின் ராஜகோபுரத்தில் உள்ள ஒரு பகுதி சேதமடைந்து இடிந்து விழுந்திருப்பது பக்தர்கள் இடையே அதிர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளது.… pic.twitter.com/gl5SfzaTa4

— M Nachiappan (@BJPNach) October 1, 2024

The Palani Temple Devasthanam has requested the Stapati Committee to assess and address the damaged Rajagopuram. Experts are investigating the cause of the structural failure, and the restoration efforts will be closely monitored to ensure the temple’s safety and sanctity.

The temple had undergone major renovations, with the Palanayam ritual held on 2 December 2019, marking the start of the Kumbabhishekam works. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was delayed by three years before finally taking place in January 2023.

Devotees have urged the temple administration to expedite repairs and ensure the structural integrity of the Rajagopuram is maintained, hoping for swift restoration of this sacred structure.

Hindu Munnani Issues Condemnation

The Hindu Munnani expressed strong condemnation regarding the damage to the Rajagopuram of the Palani Sri Dandayuthapani Swami Temple, which they described as one of Tamil Nadu’s most iconic and revenue-generating temples. The organization highlighted that less than two years after the Kumbabhishekam was hastily conducted, the structural integrity of the temple had already been compromised. Hindu Munnani pointed out that they had previously warned against conducting the Kumbabhishekam in an emergency, without proper preparation, and emphasized that the ritual, as per Agama traditions, should only be performed once every 12 years, following a thorough assessment of the temple’s condition.

They also criticized the temple administration for offering what they called an “absurd excuse,” blaming monkeys for the damage to the Rajagopuram. According to Hindu Munnani, the temple’s structure should not be so fragile that monkeys could cause harm, and they raised concerns about the safety of pilgrims. The organization urged that the stability of the entire temple should be reassessed immediately, with repairs and maintenance undertaken before any further poojas or rituals were carried out.

Hindu Munnani questioned the Charities Minister’s claims that Kumbabhishekam had been conducted at over 2000 temples under the Dravida Model, asking whether these ceremonies were similarly rushed and substandard. They cited various incidents in other temples, including the overturning of chariots, the untimely death of temple elephants, and structural damages, which had heightened fears among Tamil Nadu’s devotees.

The organization demanded transparency and accountability from the Palani temple administration, questioning whether the Kumbabhishekam was conducted properly or rushed for political or financial reasons. They rejected the explanation that monkeys were responsible for the damage, insisting that poor maintenance and substandard execution were likely the real issues. Hindu Munnani concluded by calling for an immediate inquiry into the incident, along with a reassessment of the temple’s safety to prevent further endangerment of devotees and to preserve the sanctity of Tamil Nadu’s temples.

பழனி ஸ்ரீ தண்டாயுதபாணி சாமி கோவில், ராஜகோபுரத்தில் சேதம்.!
அவசர கதியில் கும்பாபிஷேகம் வேண்டாமென அன்றே எச்சரித்தது இந்துமுன்னணி.!

தமிழகத்தில் அதிக பக்தர்கள் வரக்கூடிய மற்றும் அதிக வருமானம் வரக்கூடிய முதன்மை கோயில் பழனி ஸ்ரீ தண்டாயுதபாணி சுவாமி கோவில் ஆகும். pic.twitter.com/tr64Q55NXg

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) October 1, 2024

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The post Palani Temple Rajagopuram Damaged; Hindu Munnani Condemns, Blames Rushed Kumbabhishekam, Questions Temple Administration’s Accountability appeared first on The Commune.