The Department of Archaeology (DoA) has asked the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to preserve traditional culture while rebuilding the Yamaleshwor temple.

The temple at the centre of the Ranipokhari pond was destroyed by the earthquake last year.

The DoA directive follows concerns by experts and activists that the ongoing reconstruction work at the temple was in breach of archaeological norms.

The experts have alleged that the DoA failed to make the KMC, which is reconstructing the temple, comply with archaeological norms, as the metropolis was found to be using concrete materials for pillars and foundation of the temple.

“We have already asked the KMC to remove the pillars,” said Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general at DoA.

According to the DoA, it last week wrote to the KMC to stop works at the temple.

Arjun Kandel, director of Worldwide Kandel KNKG Joint Venture, to which the KMC has awarded the contract to rebuild the temple, said the reconstruction work would be carried out by keeping the pillars intact in the outer part of the temple.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari in January had inaugurated the national reconstruction campaign from Ranipokhari.

The National Reconstruction Authority has allocated Rs 120 million for the reconstruction of the temple. The Ranipokhari pond and the temple were built by king Pratap Malla in 1670 to console his queen who was heartbroken following the death of their son.