BAJURA, JULY 12
The Nepali Army has completed construction of a new temple at the revered religious and touristic site of Badimalika in Bajura district, replacing the old dilapidated structure.
According to temple priest Netra Upadhyaya, the new temple was built at the original site after the previous one was demolished.
Despite extreme weather and difficult terrain at an altitude of 4,220 meters, the temple was completed in just over two months. Construction began on April 10 (Chaitra 28, 2081) and concluded on July 7 (Asar 23, 2082), said Nepali Army spokesperson and Assistant Rathi Rajaram Basnet.
Built in accordance with the Ancient Monument Preservation Act, 2013 B.S., the project cost around Rs 20 million, fully funded by the Army's internal resources. Technical support and design estimates were provided by the Department of Archaeology.
The temple was part of the Nepal Army's broader initiative to preserve religious, historical, and archaeological sites. A homa kunda (ritual fire pit) and a helipad were also built as part of the project. Materials were airlifted from Martadi, the district headquarters, while some were transported on foot from Mana in Badimalika Municipality-5. The structure uses traditional materials including sal wood, stone, and mud.
Although several attempts to reconstruct the temple since 2050 B.S. failed due to logistical and weather-related challenges, this marks the first successful effort.
Badimalika draws tens of thousands of pilgrims annually, especially during Janai Purnima, one of Nepal's major religious festivals. Visitors also arrive during Ganga Dashahara, when a state-sponsored puja is conducted.
Beyond its religious significance, the site is known for its scenic beauty, alpine meadows, and views of Himalayan peaks like Saipal. The highland pastures surrounding the temple are major grazing grounds, with over 50,000 sheep brought from surrounding districts between Baisakh and Bhadra each year.
Local and international devotees believe that wishes made to Goddess Badimalika are fulfilled. The broader region is rich in biodiversity, medicinal herbs, and unique landscapes, making it a site of ecological and tourism importance.
