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Plight of Pratappur temple: Renovation at snail’s pace

KATHMANDU, DEC 05 -
Sluggish pace of renovation of Pratappur Temple, along with other adjoining structures, has made a mess of the Swayambhunath area.

According to experts, the indifference of stakeholders towards ensuring speedy repair of damaged structures has not only delayed the reconstruction of Pratappur, but also pushed other important structures into danger.

The structures around Shantipur Temple are already on the verge of collapse because of soil erosion in the area, made worse by debris from the already-fallen Pratappur and other adjoining temples.

“As Swayambhunath stands on loosely-organised land stretches, erosion is likely to increase and pass to surrounding areas, threatening the main temple as well,” said Dhurba Kumar Shrestha, an expert in water-induced disaster management. “The problem is even bigger than it appears on the surface.”

The 350-year-old temple had collapsed due to the impact of a thunderbolt in February this year. The reconstruction—started under the Department of Archaeology (DoA)—is still underway.  “Apart from Pratappur, the DoA will also have to prioritise the renovation of other surrounding temples,” said Mahendra Ratna Buddhacharya, general secretary of the Swayambhu Management and Preservation Committee. “Small erosions have been frequent here. We have to foresee risk to the entire area and tackle it promptly.”

Meanwhile, the snail-pace progress made by the authorities has also roused temper of locals. The debris scattered around the area has hindered movement, and even, as some claim, caused a decline in business.

“The pebbles and gravel from the fallen structures have been lying around here since February,” said Sanjiv Bajracharya, a local shopkeeper. “The authorities should expedite their work; it’s becoming messier than ever.” 

Bajracharya said if the debris was removed, that would mean a big change for the locals and put a pause on erosion. He also urged the authorities concerned to complete the renovation of Pratappur Temple and then repair and renovate rest of the vulnerable structures.

Meanwhile, Suresh Suras Shrestha, section officer of the World Heritage Conservation Section under the DoA, said reconstruction works are never done in haste, and that work at Pratappur is proceeding normally and will take two to three months more

to complete. He added that the DoA would oversee the surrounding structures as well once the renovation of Pratappur Temple was completed.

Built during the reign of King Pratap Malla, Pratappur was also damaged by a fire that erupted in the temple in August 2003. Around Rs 4.5 million was spent on renovating the temple then. The temple was also repaired in 1993.

According to archaeologist Prakash Darnal, Pratappur and Anantapur are the rare 84-feet tall temples built in the Sikhar (mountain) style at Swayambhunath, one of the seven monuments listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Most of other temples in the city as old as Pratappur are generally built in the pagoda style.

Posted on: 2011-12-06 07:54

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