KATHMANDU: A sum of Rs 10 million has been donated for the reconstruction of Bhimsen Temple in Patan Durbar Square. Bhimsen Temple, with a history of almost four centuries, was badly damaged by the 2015 earthquake.

Chairman of Everest Bank Ltd, BK Shrestha, made the donation on Wednesday amidst a programme.

Shrestha donated the amount in memory of his late father Sahu Ganesh Lal Shrestha to rebuild the temple and preserve the heritage of Patan. "I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to extend support in the name of Bhindya (Lord Bhimsen), who is not only a deity of Patan but of all Newars. I take it as my ancestral duty," Shrestha said while adding that his family has been extending support to the Bhimsen Temple in various capacities since long.

Shrestha handed the cheque amounting to Rs 10 million to Shree Bhimsen Mandir Rebuilding Committee, formed for the reconstruction of the temple through local contribution and resources, with technical support from Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust. The Committee was formed in collaboration with Mangal Tole Sudhar Sangh, Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and the Department of Archaeology.

According to the statement released by the Committee, Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Province 3 government have pledged Rs 10 million and five million respectively for the rebuilding of the temple.

Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Krishna Lal Maharjan, President of Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Coordinator of the Committee, Kiran Man Pradhan, Head of Mangal Tole Development Committee and Vice-president of the rebuilding committee, Rohit Ranjitkar, Director of Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and Member of rebuilding committee were also present in the programme.

After receiving the cheque, temple rebuilding committee coordinator Krishna Lal Maharjan said that the team has been fueled with more energy after receiving the support.