Reconstruction works at the historic Ranipokhari complex have been in full swing, with the contractor taking out the inner fences, upper tiers of the Yamaleshwor temple and its pinnacle. 

“We are working on recreating a garden inside the premises,” said Arjun Kandel, director of Worldwide Kandel KNKG Joint Venture, the contractor for the project. 

The Yamaleshwor temple, which opens only on the day of Bhai Tika during Tihar—second biggest Hindu festival—was severely damaged by the Gorkha Earthquake last year. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) took the initiative to rebuild the temple, pond and surrounding areas.   

The pond and its surrounding areas are under going reconstruction for the first time since the complex was built by King Pratap Malla in 1670 to console his queen who was heartbroken following the death of their son.

Talking to the Post, Kandel said his company will complete the reconstruction project by this year. “We will complete the works on time for Bhai Tika this year,” he said, adding that they have pumped 90 percent of water out the pond.  

The company has already hired 10 Kaligars (artisans) from Bhaktapur to restore the temple to its earlier state, Kandel said. 

After the completion of the project, the KMC plans to transform Rani Pokhari into a ‘Musical Water Fountain Park’ with a variety of fish and add a garden café. The complex will be opened to the public for a certain entry fee.

Fish in the pond have already been relocated to Balaju Baisdhara pond, according to KMC officials. 

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari had inaugurated the national reconstruction campaign from Ranipokhari amid a function on January 16. The National Reconstruction Authority has allotted Rs120 million for the project.