In the Himalayan foothills, the King of Nepal's writ runs out ...

[bemildred]

and Maoist rebels are in charge

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It wasn't possible to drive because the Maoists had ordered a general strike. When the Maoists call a strike, no one dares drive. Even the buses do not run. Those who break the strike tend to end up dead. So the wedding party had to cross the front line on foot.

King Gyanendra may have sacked the government and seized absolute power for himself back in Kathmandu, but he is now absolute ruler over a very small and limited domain. His power stops here, on the front line that runs across the mountains - and it is only 20 miles from Kathmandu.

It takes half an hour to drive to Dhulikhel from the gate of Gyanendra's palace, and the front line is just a short hike into the mountains. Dhulikhel is a small town of traditional brick buildings, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Himalayas. It's a popular tourist spot, but it doesn't take long to see signs that all is not well.

The Nepalese army has commandeered the children's playground. Instead of slides and climbing frames, there are heavily sandbagged positions.

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Independent UK