Kathmandu: King Gyanendra had a quiet 60th birthday on Friday as the Nepalese government did away with the customary official celebrations, weeks after stripping him of most of his powers.
The Cabinet has only sent a letter greeting him and wishing him good health and happiness, a minister said. The ministers did not visit the palace to personally wish him as they had been doing in the past.
The holiday on the King's birthday has been scrapped and government offices operated as usual, although the Royal Palace staff got an off day.
A few pro-palace groups constituted a public celebration committee and held a procession in the capital, carrying banners reading 'Long Live The King'.
Gyanendra, who received well-wishers in his palace, told reporters the celebrations would be low key for him as Friday was a 'day of penance' which is marked every month.
The King's birthdays in the past used to be celebrated with sports competitions and special programmes by the army, besides the official functions.
A military official dismissed media reports that the army headquarters was being decorated on Friday to prepare for an informal get-together on the occasion.
The multi-party government, reinstated after the King gave up his 14-month-long direct rule in April in the face of violent pro-democracy protests, curtailed most of his powers, including his command over the army.
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