The Baraha temple in Barahachhetra, Sunsari, is at high risk of erosion from the Koshi river.

The temple lost nearly 20 metres of its land to erosion during this year’s monsoon and there is a danger of further damage in the future, the temple priest, Yogesh Bhandari said.

The temple property facing the river in the south is constantly being buffeted by water which has created land cracks near one of the buildings.  

 “The building will collapse if the river is not controlled immediately,” Bhandari said. “The authorities concerned have not taken any steps to stop the damage.”

The Baraha Area Conservation Committee has requested the Water Induced Disaster Prevention Division Office, the District Irrigation Office and the Eastern Regional Administration Office to protect the ancient temple.

“None of the offices have responded to our requests so far,”said Nara Bahadur Rai, chairman of the committee.

Spread across 10 ropanis, the Baraha temple property faces the Koshi river in the west, the Koka stream in the north, and the Bhramhananda stream in the south. The temple is said to have existed well before the time when the Kirat dynasty ruled over the region.  

“The ancient records suggest that the temple had undergone several renovations during the time of Kirat rule, the reign of King Prithvi Narayan Shah and the Rana era,” Bhandari said, urging the authorities concerned to protect the ancient temple before it is too late.