Kathmandu Metropolitan City to Complete Reconstruction of 200-Year-Old Gagneshwor Temple

Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is set to complete the unfinished reconstruction of the 200-year-old Gagneshwor Temple. Located in Ward No. 32, the Gagneshwor Mahadev Temple project, which was initially funded by the provincial government, had stalled at the foundation level due to a lack of funds. The KMC now plans to complete the structure as a three-story building.

According to Ashaman Sangat, coordinator of the KMC Heritage and Tourism Committee, the temple was severely damaged in the 1990 BS earthquake. Addressing concerns over delays in decision-making by the Department of Archaeology, Sangat stated that if written documents are unavailable, the department should provide a resolution based on guthi records, oral traditions, and social beliefs.

"We need a resolution. We are ready to invest the funds, but the Department of Archaeology should not obstruct the work under any pretext. We are willing to wait a short time to complete the necessary procedures, but we will not accept delays that last for months or years," Sangat asserted.

Ward 32 Chairman Nawaraj Parajuli stated that no project would be implemented if it remains controversial. "If there is consensus and agreement, we are ready to move forward. We are committed to using taxpayer money in appropriate places," he said.

Kumari Rai, head of the Heritage and Tourism Department, noted that the committee has decided to construct the Gagneshwor Temple with three roofs. The committee has resolved to inform the Department of Archaeology and hold further discussions with partners and stakeholders.

The temple is currently in the initial stages of construction. The committee decided that technical experts will study the visible structure to determine if construction can proceed on the existing foundation, while written reports will be obtained from the implementing office and the consumer committee regarding the underground foundation.

Regarding the request for the reconstruction of the Koteshwor Mahadev Temple, the KMC has decided to continue routine maintenance while conducting a study on the necessity of full-scale reconstruction.