Ram Janaki Temple in Kanchanpur Renovated with Devotee Donations

Kanchanpur. The Ram Janaki Temple located in Shuklaphanta Municipality-11, Kaluwapur, which was in a dilapidated condition, has been repaired and freshly painted, giving it a neat look. The temple has received a new look after repairs, thanks to the donation support from devotees. The old wall was demolished and rebuilt, featuring a steel railing. The main gate of the temple has been reconstructed with a new 'design'.

Prakash Singh Aire, Chairman of the Ram Janaki Dham and Tourism Development Committee, stated that the path from the main gate to the temple has been paved with concrete to facilitate the movement of devotees. "To enhance the temple's beauty, we have constructed a garden adorned with greenery and colorful flowers on all sides. We have also built a resting platform (chautaro) in the temple premises for devotees. All this work was made possible by the support of devotees residing both at home and abroad," he said.

This temple, originally built by locals through fundraising about five decades ago, had fallen into disrepair in recent years. "The plaster on the roof, which was concreted years ago, had peeled off in several places, and the roof used to leak," he said, adding, "We have repaired all that, repainted it, and restored the temple to its original form."

According to Chairman Aire, Shree Krishna Community Forest contributed Rs 500,000 for the temple's renovation, and over Rs 200,000 collected from donors residing in Nepal and abroad was spent on the temple's maintenance. He also informed that Rs 45,000 collected from fees charged to couples getting married at the temple was used in the reconstruction.

"With everyone's support, we have managed to restore the temple to its former glory," he said. Previously, a Yagyashala (sacrificial hall) and a toilet were constructed on the temple premises with Rs 10 lakh from the Parliamentary Development Fund. Currently, weddings, Bratabandha ceremonies, Pujas, Ram Navami celebrations, and religious programs are continuously held at the temple. Devotees throng the temple during Ram Navami.

According to Chairman Aire, since some materials were purchased on credit, preparations are underway to launch a 'Muththidan' (fistful donation) campaign to clear the remaining debt. The remaining amount from the Muththidan will be used for electrical wiring and improving other structures of the temple, he stated.

Local social worker Chandra Bahadur Aire commented, "After the temple's improvement, it is now captivating to look at. The beauty has further increased with flower gardens on all sides, new railings, and bright lights."

He added that a boundary wall is necessary to protect the temple land, and everyone's support is needed for that. "This is our religious heritage; local, provincial, and federal governments should show interest in preserving it."

With the reconstruction of the Ram Janaki Temple, the Kaluwapur area is gradually becoming a center of religious, cultural, and tourist attraction. In the evenings, the temple premises, adorned with twinkling lights and the beauty of the flower gardens, have become an appealing destination not only for devotees but also for domestic tourists.