Kathmandu, September 4 Locals of Basantapur area have decried the government’s plan to entrust Japan International Cooperation Agency with reconstructing Agamche temple in Hanumandhoka Durbar. The temple was damaged in the 2015 earthquakes. King Pratap Malla had built the temple and only Malla kings and their descendants were allowed to enter the temple then. However, it was officially closed during reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah. The Department of Archaeology is all set to hand over the project to JICA, which has also offered Rs 20 million grant for reconstruction of the temple. Locals, however, have been opposing the plan, saying foreigners should not be allowed to enter the temple. During a discussion with locals and cultural experts today, DoA Director General Bhes Narayan Dahal urged the locals to allow JICA to rebuild the temple, saying the reconstruction process would be closely monitored by experts from DoA. “We want to assure that foreigners will not enter the temple. But, reconstruction task needs specific skills and technology, so we should allow JICA to rebuild the temple.” Provincial Assembly member Rajesh Kaji Shakya from the area said, “It is ridiculous to say that we need advanced technology to rebuild monuments, which were built hundreds of years ago by our forefathers using traditional skill and materials.” Udhav Man Karmacharya, a tantric priest of Taleju Bhawani temple, said, “The DoA should preserve the sanctity of our cultural heritages. The government should ensure that people’s religious sentiments aren’t hurt in the process of reconstructing the temple.” Karmacharya, who had opened the gates of the temple at the request of Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum, said even Shah kings did not enter the temple. Around half a dozen other participants of the discussion also opposed the plan to allow foreigners to rebuild the temple.