The Kathmandu Metropolitan City is preparing to invite bids for the reconstruction of Kasthamandap Mandir inside the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square which was destroyed in the earthquake last year.

The Department of Archaeology has already prepared designs for reconstruction of Kasthamandap and its Director General Bhesh Narayan Dahal has handed them over to KMC’s Chief and Executive Officer Rudra Singh Tamang. The monument is being constructed by the KMC with a budget of Rs192 million. Officials say the project will take three years to complete.

“The design prepared by the department has been kept at the site for locals to examine it,” Tamang said, adding that people’s feedback would be collected for a week. The KMC would then call tenders for reconstruction. But the issue of wood has troubled officials as historians believe Kasthamandap was built from the wood of a single tree. According to official history, Kasthamandap was built in the 16th century by then king of Kathmandu Laxminarsingh Malla. The pagoda-style shrine is dedicated to Gorakhnath Baba.

However, according to Mayadevi Aryal, museum officer of the Hanumandhoka Durbar Upkeep Office, most of the remnants of Kasthamandap are reusable, which means ancient wood-carved statues and decorations are available for use. More wood, however, needs to be procured.

Built between the 12th and 18th centuries by Malla kings of Nepal, Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Used as by Malla and Shah kings as their palace, the durbar attracts a large number of tourists. According to DoA, 26 structures including Maju Deval Mandir, Trailokya Mohan Narayan Mandir, Hanumandhoka palace, Narayan Mandir, Krishna Mandir, statue of king Pratap Malla, Degutalle Mandir, Kageshwor Mandir and Nautalle Durbar have sustained damage due to the April 25 earthquake. DoA Spokesperson Ram Bahadur Kunwar said Rs7-10 billion is required for rebuilding the structures.'