Some 50 dead bodies were cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat on the first day of the quake alone, said Yagya Prasad Adhikari, who has been aiding in cremating dead bodies there.

This is so far the first incident in which the highest number of dead bodies were cremated, said Adhikari, a local of Mulpani, who has been undertaking crematorium works for the past 22 years.

"I had put to flames maximum two dead bodies a day but I could not ascertain how many were consigned to flames on April 25. This is so far the first incident in which a large number of cremations were performed. The knowledgeable people also verified it the highest number of cremations at Aryaghat," he further said.

It may be noted that daily up to 25 dead bodies were burnt to ashes at Pashupati Aryaghat during normal time. With the rise in death toll from the deadly earthquake, the final rites performers have seen limited space in Pashupati mourning house. The house having capacity to accommodate 50 is crammed with many ritual performers now. RSS