Authorities on Thursday installed the Gajur (pinnacle) on Balgopaleshwor temple in Rani Pokhari, Kathmandu.

The temple, which is situated in the middle of the pond, has been restored in its original form, in Shikhara style as King Pratap Malla had constructed in 1670 AD, before the temple’s roof was given a distinct dome shape during the Rana regime.

The historic pond, which was ravaged by the earthquakes of 2015, is close to being restored.

The iconic pond spread over 63 ropanis of land was recently replenished with water brought from Bagmati River.

The Rani Pokhari restoration project has been a long drawn out undertaking, one marred by a series of controversies, failed starts and restarts. After more than five years, after a sustained campaign launched by heritage lovers, restoration of the historic monument is finally getting over.

While the activists who campaigned for its restoration are pleased to see Rani Pokhari in its old form, they at the same time are also worried about how the city office will go about conserving the site and keeping the pond water clean.

“The authority restored Rani Pokhari but it does not have any plan on how to clean the pond water, nor does the city office. How can we be sure that this heritage site will survive for posterity?” Ganapati Lal Shrestha, one of the leading conservationists in the Rani Pokhari restoration campaign, told the Post recently.