Kathmandu, July 9

Irate locals have protested the demolition of one of the four Shivalayas at Agnihotri Yagyashala of Bankali on the premises of Pashupatinath temple.

The Pashupati Area Development Trust demolished the Shivalaya to construct a building for observing mourning rites. Locals have accused PADT of bringing down the centuries-old structure of archaeological significance without holding any consultation with the Department of Archaeology.

A local Jaladaraj Baidya said that PADT dismantled the Shivalaya yesterday. “We will file a complaint against it at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and Department of Archaeology,” said Baidya.

According to him, there were many idols in the Shivalaya although the details recorded by PADT showed it had only one idol of Bhairav.

Similarly, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No 8 Chairperson Dinesh Dangol said PADT had decided to rebuild the temple since the locals and people’s representatives had protested its move to construct a building for mourners.

PADT Executive Director Ramesh Kumar Uprety claimed that the dilapidated building was demolished to construct a building for mourners. He assured that there were no valuables of archaeological significance inside the temple.