Bhimsen temple reconstruction nears 90 percent

  LALITPUR, July 19: The Bhimsen Temple situated on the Patan Durbar Square has witnessed 90 percent of its reconstruction. The 2015 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks had caused cracks in the wooden structure of the temple in its upper stair.  Immediate past president of Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Krishna Lal Maharjan said the task of installing roof is underway after erecting temple walls. “We have set a target to complete the reconstruction of the temple within coming mid-October if the lockdown is not enforced again to stem the coronavirus cases”, he shared.  The Nepal Investment Bank on Sunday had handed over the remaining pledged amount of Rs 5 million for the temple reconstruction, Maharjan further informed.  Locals people had joined their hands to raise funds for the rebuild of the devastated temple with the slogan ‘Let us build our heritage on our own’ after no side demonstrated interest to that end. The Indian government had pledged to reconstruct the temple but it also remained abortive. Hence, the locals took ahead the temple rebuild with campaign.  Though the primary reconstruction cost of the temple was estimated to be at Rs 49.3 million, it seems to go up. The Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust was entrusted the responsibility of technical works of the temple reconstruction.