Locals demand Rani Pokhari reconstruction in Malla-era style

KATHMANDU — Locals on Wednesday demanded Kathmandu Metropolis to restore Rani Pokhari in its original Malla-era design.
At a public hearing organised by the 11-member committee – formed to offer suggestions on the reconstruction model of Rani Pokhari on December 28 – that was asked to submit a detailed plan of the pond’s reconstruction, they also opposed the KMC’s proposal to construct recreational park using concrete on the pond’s premises.
Claiming that the temple in the middle of the Rani Pokhari was originally not of Bal Gopaleshwor but that of Jhankeshwor Devi – a tantric deity of the Newar community – they asked the panel to reconstruct the temple in GranthaKut Style.
Engineer Ananta Ram Baidhya, on the occasion, said that the report was too immature and very limited study have been made on the original design of the temple and pond.
“After the contruction of pond, Kathmandu has seen seven major earthquakes till the last three years ago,” he said, adding that the design of the pond and the temple must have undergone tremendous change in the course of last 350 years.
he also called for a comprehensive study before reaching any conclusion on the design of the pond and the temple.
However, the preliminary report of the committee – headed by former director of Department of Archaeology Bishnu Raj Karki – reads that it is possible to restore the Malla-era temple, which is believed to have been built by Pratap Malla, to its original design in the GranthaKut Style.
The reconstruction of the historic monument drew controversy after KMC Mayor single handedly used concrete and modern material to reconstruct the pond withour giving ear to the suggestions of locals.
The reconstruction of the pond halted since December 28 after the pressure from locals and protest against the KMC Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya.