'They are not imported from Nepal like the Indian priests at Pashupatinath are.'

The protesters say that Nepal's history shows the first priests at the Pashupatinath temple were Nepalis.

'During the Licchavi kings (starting from 300AD) and the reign of the Kirat kings (around 700 AD), there were Nepali priests,' says Rishi Prasad Sharma, who is heading the protest organisation.

'However, the appointment of the Indian priests started only during the time of the Malla kings (around 1400 AD when Yaksha Malla was the king).

'Therefore, if we want to keep the old tradition alive, we should appoint Nepali priests who were the first priests.'

Nepal has been expressing mixed feelings about the debate.

Some feel that the earlier Maoist government, which tried to appoint Nepali priests, was motivated by the ambition to control the shrine and its fabled riches and chose methods which tarnished their own image as well as triggered an international outcry.

However, there is a growing feeling that Nepalis should not be barred from becoming Pashupatinath's priests.

'It is not mandatory to appoint Indian priests at Pashupatinath,' Nepal's largest-selling daily Kantipur said in its editorial Sunday.

'... At a time the country has abolished monarchy that was based on religious sentiments, there can be debate on the issue of whether it is necessary to continue having Indian priests.'