Following a three-day workshop that sought to bring together different communities and stakeholders to rebuild the iconic Kasthamandap, the citizen-led Campaign to Rebuild Kasthamandap, has concluded a public exhibition showcasing the progress made in the reconstruction project. Held at the periphery of the fallen monument, the exhibition included a miniature paper model of Kasthmandap, architectural drawings prepared for the project, and graphical representations of social, cultural and religious activities that have been practiced by different communities in and around Kasthamandap.

Kasthamandap, locally known as Maru Satah (meaning “The public shelter located in Maru” in Nepal Bhasa), was one of the hundreds of historical monuments that collapsed during the April 25 earthquake in 2015. As the largest public building of Kathmandu’s historic core, Kasthamandap holds immense significance in the local imagination. Kathmandu’s name itself is derived from Kasthamandap.

After lobbying for two years, the community-led non-profit group Campaign to Rebuild Kasthamandap was given the authority to rebuild Kasthamandap in May this year.

At the interactive public exhibition, which continued through the weekend, visitors were encouraged to point out how they used the physical space of Kasthamandap and its periphery. They were also encouraged to submit their feedback about the reconstruction process and the traditional and sociocultural activities linked with the historic building.

Prior to the exhibit, the Campaign had organised two focused-group workshops regarding the tangible and intangible heritage of Kasthamandap.