Kathmandu: Nepal's isolated King Gyanendra suffered yet another snub when Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala replaced him at the traditional Basanta Shrawan ceremony at the Hanuman Dhoka Old Palace complex today.

As the fate of the monarchy hangs in balance, the King, who has been stripped of most of his powers, has been excluded from many traditional ceremonies after 2006 when he was forced to relinquish his absolute authority.

In keeping with the change, Koirala today attended the ceremony on the occasion of Shree Panchami , which marks the arrival of spring season in Nepal.

Speaker of the Parliament, ministers and the chiefs of the security forces were also present at the function.

Meanwhile, the king attended a separate Basanta Shrawan ceremony in the Narayanhiti Royal Palace as per the traditions according to the Royal Palace Press Secretariat.

Source : PTI