Kathmandu, October 30
The Department of Archaeology (DoA) has approved the design for the reconstruction of the Bishwarup temple in the Pashupati area. The temple was damaged by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.
The Ancient Monument Conservation Act stipulates that the DAO approval is required for rebuilding the cultural monuments in the World Heritage sites. The Pashupati area is a World Heritage site.
The reconstruction of the temple could not begin even after five years since the earthquake as the department had not approved the design.
The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has allocated Rs 100 million in the current fiscal year for the reconstruction of the temple through internal resources. The PADT member-secretary Pradeep Dhakal says the estimated budget for the reconstruction of the temple including the pedestals around it is Rs 700 million.
The PADT has the target of completing the reconstruction within fiscal year 2021/22 as part of the multi-year project.
The trust’s director Bharat Marasini says the process of awarding the contract for rebuilding the monument has already started, assuring the contract would be awarded in the new few weeks.
It is stated that the first ruler of the Rana dynasty, Jung Bahadaur Rana, had brought the Bishwarup statue abandoned in the Layaku Bahal area of Hanumandhoka to Mrigasthali of Pashupati area and installed it there. The Vishworoop statue is considered the combination of Brahma, Bishnu and Maheshwar.
