"Looking back at Nepal’s royal massacre through the lens of books"

 Jestha: A Month of Heat, History, and Haunting Questions

Jestha is the hottest month of the year in Nepal—but it’s not just about rising temperatures. For many Nepalis, this month carries deep emotional weight. Two major events are tied to it: Jestha 15, the day Nepal was officially declared a republic, and Jestha 19, the day the monarchy came to a tragic and abrupt end following the royal massacre. That night changed the nation forever, marking the start of a new, uncertain era.

Some intellectuals I’ve met often say, “The monarchy was bound to fall eventually.” But I can’t help but ask—do they truly believe Crown Prince Dipendra killed his entire family in a fit of rage? Or do they secretly lean toward the many conspiracy theories that still float through Kathmandu’s alleys and tea shops? Everyone seems to have their version of what happened. As Yuval Noah Harari once said, stories are what hold civilizations together. And Kathmandu, nestled among mystical mountains, is a city brimming with stories—secrets, rumors, and conspiracies, especially about the royal palace.

It’s a real-life drama more gripping than Game of Thrones. And yet, strangely, no filmmaker has ever dared to tell this story on screen. Thankfully, we do have books—plenty of them, both fiction and non-fiction—that try to uncover what really happened that night. For someone like me, born after the massacre but still captivated by it, these books are a window into a past I never lived but can’t stop imagining.

So I began reading, diving deep into books in both Nepali and English. Here’s a quick rundown of some titles that stood out to me—without giving away too much.

1. Raktakunda by Krishna Abiral

This book feels more like it was written to match public sentiment than to present an unbiased account. Many people I know believe every word of it. And to be honest, I used to be one of them.

Back then, I fully embraced the story it told. But over time, I’ve become more skeptical. Now, I find it harder to accept everything in it as the full truth.

That said, it’s well-written and gripping. Definitely worth reading—but keep your critical thinking switched on. Don’t take everything at face value.

2. Love and Death in Kathmandu by Amy Willesee and Mark Whittaker

What sets this book apart is how it explores the psychology of the people involved—something you rarely find in other accounts, especially local ones. It doesn’t just tell the story of the massacre; it digs into the royal family's inner lives, their pressures, and the cultural-political landscape around them.

It covers everything—from the legends of Gorakhnath and the living goddess Kumari to the rise of the Ranas and the brewing Maoist conflict. The writing is engaging, and once you begin, it’s hard to put down.

For younger readers like me, this book is an excellent introduction to the royal tragedy. It blends firsthand accounts, interviews, and rumors into a fascinating portrait of a kingdom in crisis. As for the big question—did Dipendra do it? The book doesn’t give a straight yes or no. It paints him as deeply troubled, shaped by palace life and personal demons, but leaves room for doubt and deeper interpretation.

Highly recommended.

3. Durbar ko Dukhanta by Sundar Pratap Rana

The author, a former Adjutant General to King Birendra, brings a rare insider perspective. It’s the only Nepali book on the subject that truly satisfied me as a reader.

While the author’s loyalty to the monarchy is clear, he tries hard to be factual and balanced. His close connection to the palace gives weight to the events he describes—especially the massacre and its immediate aftermath.

It’s a gripping read from page one, and for anyone looking to go beyond gossip and into the heart of the tragedy, this book is essential.

4. Massacre at the Palace by Jonathan Gregson

This one starts from the very beginning—the unification of Nepal—and goes all the way to King Gyanendra’s rise. The research is thorough, and the storytelling is smooth.

What stood out to me most was how the author portrays Devyani Rana. In contrast to many accounts that paint her as the villain, this book presents her as someone who truly cared for Dipendra, someone he leaned on emotionally. While it doesn’t absolve her, it does offer a more nuanced view.

Also, the frequent references to Gorakhnath and how his legend intertwines with royal fate add a fascinating layer.

A definite must-read if you're trying to understand the royal family and the roots of the massacre.

Still Searching for the Truth

It’s been 24 years since that horrific night, yet the truth remains blurry. Rumors still swirl—some fueled by the palace’s secrecy, like the refusal to perform post-mortems or the decision to demolish the building where the massacre happened. Whether these were necessary steps or acts of cover-up, we may never know.

And what do I believe? Honestly, I’m still undecided. This tragedy continues to pull me in, and I keep reading, listening, and questioning. In Kathmandu—a city built on myths and mysteries—people cling to whatever version gives them peace.

For the royal family, steeped in a history of violence and intrigue, this was another dark chapter. But for the rest of us, it was a national trauma, one that still haunts and confuses.

What do we do with this story? Maybe we’ll never know the full truth. But perhaps the stories themselves—the act of remembering, questioning, imagining—are what help us cope. Maybe this is one story we all need to survive.