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Naxal Bhagwati Temple undergoes major renovation work
Naxal Bhagwati Temple is one of the most sacred places of worship in the Kathmandu Valley, and it holds great importance in the Nepalese society. However, it is not very clear when the temple was first built as no historical documents or evidences have been found till now which show the exact date of its establishment. Still, according to local folklore, the temple was first built during the period of King Bikram Keshar more than a thousand years ago in 1050 B.S (as per the Bikram Sambat calendar).
It is believed that an artist offered the grand statue of Bhagwati to Queen Nawasagar. She was so happy at the sight of the statue that she tarted to worship Bhagwati under her own name: 'Nawasagar Bhagwati'.
The temple is of great importance to Hindus and others alike. Now, the Naxal Bhagwati Temple is undergoing major renovation works, and the Naxal Bhagwati Renovation Committee is overseeing this preservation related tasks.
The temple has already gone through several restoration works prior to this: during the period of King Ranabahadur Shah in 1939 BS; then by Shree Bhim Takakari, and after that, in the year 1986 BS, by a native named Bimalraj Haluwai.
In 1990 BS, a powerful earthquake destroyed most parts of the temple, and in 1994, during the King Tribhuwan's reign, Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher Rana renovated the temple.
Again, in the years 1992/1994, 2010/2015 and 2043 BS, it was renovated by local people and by the rulers of that time: Mahabir Shamsher Rana, King Mahendra, and King Birendra.
The Naxal Bhagwati Renovation Committee has been given the go-ahead by the Department of Archaeology, and by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office to carry out the renovation works on the temple. The project also received funds from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Office, Guthi Sansthan, and also by some local donors.
"The woods and walls of the temple were damaged. In addition, as the temple is below the road level, drain waters used to flow into the temple premises especially during the rainy season. The temple has also tilted six inches to the west, so it was necessary to do the renovation works," explained Ram Saran Shrestha, a member of the committee. "According to KMC, the estimated cost for the renovation work stands to the tune of Rs 9.2 million. The KMC has already allotted more than Rs 4 million and the Guthi Sansthan has helped out with Rs 5,00,000," Shrestha added.
The Committee raised the total figure of Rs 42,95,290 since the start of the fund-raising program on the 1st of February 2010- 2066/6/3, the day of Ghatasthapana, and it is still going on.
Talking to nepalnews.com, Shrestha explained: "The renovation work is going very well."
He continued," As far as possible, the temple will be renovated using the same elements and materials used before- and the shape and size of temple will also be the same."
According to the committee, an estimated Rs 10 million will be required for the first phase of the renovation work. In the second phase, an stimated Rs 20 million will be required for gold coating on the temple's roof, and an estimated Rs 50,000,00 to build the temple premises in the third phase. nepalnews.com
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| Naxal Bhagawati Temple undergoing major renovation work. |
The temple has already gone through several restoration works prior to this: during the period of King Ranabahadur Shah in 1939 BS; then by Shree Bhim Takakari, and after that, in the year 1986 BS, by a native named Bimalraj Haluwai.
In 1990 BS, a powerful earthquake destroyed most parts of the temple, and in 1994, during the King Tribhuwan's reign, Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher Rana renovated the temple.
Again, in the years 1992/1994, 2010/2015 and 2043 BS, it was renovated by local people and by the rulers of that time: Mahabir Shamsher Rana, King Mahendra, and King Birendra.
The Naxal Bhagwati Renovation Committee has been given the go-ahead by the Department of Archaeology, and by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office to carry out the renovation works on the temple. The project also received funds from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Office, Guthi Sansthan, and also by some local donors.
"The woods and walls of the temple were damaged. In addition, as the temple is below the road level, drain waters used to flow into the temple premises especially during the rainy season. The temple has also tilted six inches to the west, so it was necessary to do the renovation works," explained Ram Saran Shrestha, a member of the committee. "According to KMC, the estimated cost for the renovation work stands to the tune of Rs 9.2 million. The KMC has already allotted more than Rs 4 million and the Guthi Sansthan has helped out with Rs 5,00,000," Shrestha added.
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Talking to nepalnews.com, Shrestha explained: "The renovation work is going very well."
He continued," As far as possible, the temple will be renovated using the same elements and materials used before- and the shape and size of temple will also be the same."
According to the committee, an estimated Rs 10 million will be required for the first phase of the renovation work. In the second phase, an stimated Rs 20 million will be required for gold coating on the temple's roof, and an estimated Rs 50,000,00 to build the temple premises in the third phase. nepalnews.com
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