KATHMANDU: Plans are afoot to widen the courtyard of Pashupatinath Temple, the famous shrine of Hindus enlisted as a World Heritage Site.

"The premises will be expanded sticking to classical and archaeological values," Sushil Nahata, member-secretary, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), told this daily. "An 11-member renovation committee, which will complete its study within two months, has just been formed."

Nahata said the temples adjoining the premises were in a bad shape while the wall of Mukti Mandap has a crack. "The premises will be widened on all directions, except south," he said. "Wooden beams and bars of the temple have been damaged while the roof of the main temple leaks."

The temple dates back to 400 AD and is was built by Lichchhavi King Supus Padeva, according to an inscription erected by Jayadeva in 753. The temple was reconstructed by a medieval king Shivadeva (1099-1126). As described in history, the temple was destroyed in an attack by Sultan Samsuddin of Bengal in mid 14th century. Ten years later, in 1360, the temple was reconstructed by Javasimha Ramvardhana. Jyoti Malla renovated it in 1416. Queen Gangadevi gave the temple its present shape during the reign of Shivasimha Malla (1578-1620). The temple was renovated in 1969 after it was infested with termites.

The temple renovation sub-committee includes engineer Shankar Nath Rimal, Prof Bidhya Nath Bhatta, Prof Mukunda Raj Aryal, main priest Mahabaleshwor, Hari Sharan Rajbhandari, Bharat Acharya of the Nepal Army, devotee Suvas Shanghai, representatives from Department of Archaeology and Guthi Corporation each, and Prem Hari Dhungana.

Dhungana said the preservation plan would be formulated after studying the physical condition of the temples. "Study is inevitable to preserve the heritage. Permission from UNESCO is also a must to carry out the project," he said. The western gate built by King Mahendra 40 years ago is against the value, said Dhungana. "It should be changed."

PADT treasurer Narottam Baidya said the issue needed to be discussed widely and advice solicited from all sectors.

The renovation work will begin next fiscal. Donors are being consulted to fund the project. Works are underway to paint the temples inside the PADT area.