A museum to commemorate ‘Kavishiromani’ Lekhnath Poudel is being constructed at the poet’s birthplace in Lekhnath Municipality-27, in Pokhara. The construction is carried out under the initiative of Lekhnath Janmasthal Bikash Samiti.

Along with the museum, there are other constructions going on in the premises—a conference hall that will host and accomodate literary gatherings, a picnic spot, a view-tower, and a guest house capable of accommodating 12 people, among others. In the museum, specifically carved Sal woods are being used in Bhaktapure style. Many of Kavishiromani’s poems are being carved in Stambhas  (pillars) to be showcased in the vicinity. Moreover, construction of a park with a pond is also on going.

Bishwaprakash Lamichanne, chairman of the Janmasthal Bikash Samiti said that this visionary project had been initiated five years ago.

“Kavishiromani’s home was totally covered in wild grasses back then,” he said, “As the government didn’t care much about it, we were inspired to do something creative and hence initiated this committee and the project on our own.”

The total budget for all the construction has been estimated to be around 20 million rupees. The cost for museum and park  alones has been six  million rupees. Lamichanne shared that only seven million rupees had been allocated by the government in total. The Pokhara-Lekhnath municipality donates a monthly Rs 7,500 for the museum construction.

Manoj Paudel, the secretary of the museum, shared that they had been constantly requesting the Pokhara-Lekhnath municipality for support but haven’t received any response.

The museum expects to attract a range of visitors from literature lovers, writers, students to internal tourists. The entry price has been fixed at Rs 10 for students and Rs 20 for others.