Work to reconstruct five historic monasteries damaged by the 2015 earthquakes in Gorkha has been handed over to the Department of Archaeology after the dissolution of the National Reconstruction Authority in mid-November.

The earthquake had damaged 104 monasteries in Gorkha. The National Reconstruction Authority was established to carry out the reconstruction of those infrastructures damaged by the devastating earthquake.

According to Nabaraj Adhikari, chief at the Monasteries Reconstruction Project in Gorkha, the project implementation unit of the National Reconstruction Authority in Gorkha had been carrying out the reconstruction of the five monasteries until it was dissolved in mid-November.

“Rs 60 million amount has been released to each monastery. The Department of Archaeology will continue the reconstruction work from now onwards,” said Adhikari.

The reconstruction and repair work of Kangur Lhakhang and Pungchi monasteries of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-2 and Chhekam, Kaning and Tashi Chholing monasteries of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-4 is now under the Department of Archaeology.

“We have conducted field visits to the monasteries. Three of the monasteries need complete reconstruction while two others have to be repaired. All these monasteries are more than 100 years old and carry religious and archaeological significance,” said Adhikari.

According to him, the reconstruction and repair work of four monasteries will begin soon while the reconstruction work on Kangur Lhakhang monastery was initiated in the last fiscal year.

However, officials at the Monasteries Reconstruction Project have expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing reconstruction work at Kangur Lhakhang monastery.

“The monastery is not being reconstructed in its traditional style. We found modern construction materials being used to restore the building. We have informed the Department of Archaeology about it,” said Adhikari.

“Reconstruction and repair works on three other monasteries will begin soon. Efforts are underway to invite bidding and complete work on these three monasteries within the current fiscal year,” said Adhikari.

Meanwhile, the reconstruction of Pungchi monastery has already been completed.

“I hope the Department of Archaeology will reconstruct and repair the historic monuments in their original style,” said Adhikari.

The 2015 earthquake with its epicentre at Barpak of Gorkha damaged more than 100 monasteries in the district. The reconstruction and repair of 13 monasteries have been completed so far while work on 91 others is yet to gather momentum.

The National Reconstruction Authority initiated the reconstruction and repair of 50 monasteries in the fiscal year 2018-19. But the work could not take off due to a shortage of budget. The local people and other stakeholders have demanded that the authorities concerned reconstruct and repair the historic monasteries at the earliest.

The 2015 earthquake also damaged several other historical and archaeological sites, including Gorkha Durbar, Manakamana Temple and Kalika Temple. The National Reconstruction Authority conducted the reconstruction and repair work on these monuments through the Department of Archaeology.

“Reconstruction and repair works on 24 heritages, including temple, Pauwa and Sattal, began in the last fiscal year. Many of the sites have been reconstructed while some are nearing completion,” said Adhikari.