LALITPUR: The Patan Museum is currently working to restore the historic Sundari Chok (courtyard) located at Patan Durbar Square back to its original structure.

The historically important courtyard was closed for the visitors as the District Police Office had been operating from this space.

According to Suresh Man Lakhe, Chief of Patan Museum, "Out of four such traditional courtyards within the premises of Patan Durbar Square, which is also a World Heritage Site, Sundari Chok is the most artistic one."

Lakhe further added that the traditional walls of the chamber would be left as they are, while the floor would be daubed with mud and ochre to give Sundari Chok its original look; the mud-plastered walls have only been slightly repaired.

Many walls within the Chok have murals that have been protected by glass slabs, and a window in the shape of an elephant that remains within the courtyard is also one of its attractions.

Lakhe said, "We have tried to preserve the artefacts and monuments that are here in their original forms as far as practicable."

The visitors have to walk barefoot to look around Sundari Chok. They can gain some knowledge of history and heritage from the intricately carved traditional windows, the walls and the floor of the Chok.

This Chok, which had remained closed for more than two decades, was opened for the visitors only three years back.