Renovation work at three prominent Hindu temples in the country has not been able to take off due to differences among authorities, locals and priests.
The government has allocated Rs 100 million each for renovation at Manakamana (Gorkha), Muktinath (Mustang) and Ram Mandir (Janakpur), which are on the verge of collapse, said the Ministry of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture.
Although the ministry does not have enough fund to carry out reconstruction of the temples, it said there was no option as the temples are centuries old, it said.
“Old structures at the temples need to be dismantled and new ones put in place keeping in mind original archaeological structure and designs,” said Rishi Kesh Niraula, under-secretary at the ministry.
“However, locals and priests at the temples are against restructuring. They are in favour of general renovation,” he informed, adding, “The ministry has only budget for renovation”.
Officials say they have not been able to take locals and priests into confidence. Locals fear renovation may spoil the structures beyond repair.
“The Department of Archaeology is the main authority to deal with locals and priests and carry out renovation,” Niraula informed.
According to the department, Rs 500 million to Rs 1,300 million each is necessary to reconstruct these temples.
All of the temples in question earn millions of rupees annually as offerings. But the general public has been in the dark about how the money is spent.
The department admitted there were disputes about renovation and restoration of temples.
“The case of Manakamana is most complicated as locals demand that we repair only the damaged parts,” said officer Prakash Darnal.
Mandakini Shrestha, senior archaeological officer at the department, said efforts were on to resolve the disputes.
Source: The Himalayan [September 02, 2011]
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| Manakamana Temple, Nepal [Credit: Wikipedia] |
Although the ministry does not have enough fund to carry out reconstruction of the temples, it said there was no option as the temples are centuries old, it said.
“Old structures at the temples need to be dismantled and new ones put in place keeping in mind original archaeological structure and designs,” said Rishi Kesh Niraula, under-secretary at the ministry.
“However, locals and priests at the temples are against restructuring. They are in favour of general renovation,” he informed, adding, “The ministry has only budget for renovation”.
Officials say they have not been able to take locals and priests into confidence. Locals fear renovation may spoil the structures beyond repair.
“The Department of Archaeology is the main authority to deal with locals and priests and carry out renovation,” Niraula informed.
According to the department, Rs 500 million to Rs 1,300 million each is necessary to reconstruct these temples.
All of the temples in question earn millions of rupees annually as offerings. But the general public has been in the dark about how the money is spent.
The department admitted there were disputes about renovation and restoration of temples.
“The case of Manakamana is most complicated as locals demand that we repair only the damaged parts,” said officer Prakash Darnal.
Mandakini Shrestha, senior archaeological officer at the department, said efforts were on to resolve the disputes.
Source: The Himalayan [September 02, 2011]