Bhaktapur, November 11

Reconstruction of three heritage monuments of Bhaktapur Durbar Square have almost been completed.

Khauma Dwaar (entry gate to Bhaktapur Durbar Square), Narayan Mandir and Badri Narayan Mandir have been been rebuilt by the Bhaktapur Municipality in coordination with Monuments and Palace Conservation Office of Bhaktapur.

Ram Govinda Shrestha, chief of Heritage Department at Bhaktapur Municipality, said reconstruction of other heritage monuments were also under way and would be completed within the next few years.

“We had started reconstructing nine heritage monuments and we have already completed three of them,” said Shrestha.

“After rebuilding these monuments and temples, we will also start reconstructing other monuments destroyed by the earthquake.”

During the earthquake last year, 860 heritage monuments of Bhaktapur district were destroyed. Accorindg to Bhaktapur Municipality, these include 172 temples, 37 sattals, 256 paties, 88 stone spouts, 252 wells, 36 ponds, 29 monasteries, and 116 other heritage monuments.

According to Shrestha, all heritage monuments are being rebuilt using the same method and construction material used during their original construction. The Department of Archaeology has been coordinating reconstruction of heritages in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

Ram Krishna Duwal, general secretary of Hanuman Dhoka Conservation Committee, said cultural heritage should not rebuilt using modern technology and materials. “If done so, they would lose their original identity and value.”