KATHMANDU: The Balgopaleshwor Temple at the centre of historic Ranipokhari in Kathmandu, which used to be open for the public only on the day of Bhaitika during the Tihar festival, will not be available for the same this year.

This is the second year that the Temple will not be open for those wishing to put Tika on the auspicious day.

The Temple is under reconstruction since it was damaged in the April 2015 earthquake.

The reconstruction work has been mired in a controversy between the Department of Archaeology and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Recently, the DoA has asked the KMC to stop the work, citing that it did not follow the norms of repairing an archaeological site.

"As the construction work is underway, the general public cannot go inside the premise. And like last year, they will have to be content with a photograph of the Temple for receiving Tika," said KMC spokesperson Gyanendra Karki.

The Temple draws a large number of people, especially who do not have sister or brother for the Bhaitika and those who have not been able to go back to their respective brother or sister for the same.