Nepal Maharishi Vedic Foundation has proposed to reconstruct the quake-damaged Bishwarupa Temple inside the Pashupatinath area.

The Foundation submitted a proposal in this regard after the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) made a public appeal for assistance.

The temple, an important pilgrimage site for worshippers of Lord Shiva, suffered further damage due to rain on August 21.

The Foundation, active in conducting enlightenment and meditation programmes across the country, plans to operate a Vedic Gurukul in the temple after reconstruction. Apart from the temple, the Foundation has also proposed to rebuild four surrounding sattals. According to the PADT, they have estimated the total rebuilding cost at Rs25 million and the proposal has already been forwarded to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The temple was established in the Pashupatinath area by Jung Bahadur Rana in the 1860s. After its collapse, no puja has been held there.

According to the Department of Archaeology, a total of 750 historical, cultural and religious monuments in 20 districts have suffered damage due to the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks. Among them, 133 have been destroyed while 617 have sustained partial damage. According to government estimate, around Rs20.56 billion will be required to rebuild the damaged monuments while the Pashupatinath area alone will require Rs1.5 billion.