Kathmandu, September 14

The National Reconstruction Authority and the Department of Archaeology have reiterated that reconstruction of Balgopaleshwor temple, situated in the middle of Rani Pokhari, will be completed before Tihar.

Officials of the NRA and DoA have claimed that this year the general public will be able to visit the temple on Bhai Tika.

Ever since the 2015 earthquakes damaged the temple, authorities had been making such claims. It took them more than four years to start the construction work.

“We are hopeful that the temple will be completed before Tihar, and we will open it for the general public on Bhai Tika this year,” said Director General of the DoA Damodar Gautam.

Similarly, Information Officer at the NRA Manohar Ghimire said the contractor company had been strictly instructed to meet the deadline.

The DoA, however, said this year they would not deprive people of visiting the temple on Bhai Tika.

“Even if construction of the temple is not completed on time, they will instal the idol of Lord Krishna in the temple for the people to offer prayers,” said Gautam.

Issuing a press release a month ago, the NRA had stated that the temple would be rebuilt in traditional granthakut style of the Malla era. The temple was built by King Pratap Malla in granthakut style in 1670.

The original temple was destroyed in the earthquake of 1934. After the earthquake, the temple was later reconstructed following gumbaz model by Rana rulers. According to historians and activists, the temple was rebuilt by Jung Bahadur Rana in 1905 making changes to its original design.

The temple draws a large number of people, especially who do not have sisters or brothers for the Bhai Tika and those who could not go back to their hometowns to meet their brothers or sisters for Bhai Tika.