Manakamana temple should be developed as religious site: President Bhandari

Gorkha, March 8 . President Bidya Devi Bhandari has viewed that the Manakamana Temple in Gorkha district could be developed into a religious site.

Inaugurating the dushkarma puja marking the completion of the renovation of quake-damaged Manakamana Temple at Shahid Lakhan rural municipality-2 in the district on Thursday, President Bhandari said the ancient Temple of Hindu Goddess Bhagawati and the surrounding religious places should be promoted as a religious sites in a planned manner.

The Manakamana Temple that stands atop 1,300 metres high hill was first built by Lakhan Thapa in the 17th century. The present one was rebuilt in the 19th century in a replacement of the previous one.

The President said, “The places of historical and religious significance in and around the Temple that are in the backburner should be promoted and developed, so that new jobs could be generated.”

She commended the renovation of the Manakamana Temple in collaboration between the government and local community, saying it was a model one. The renovation of the temple was conducted under the supervision of the Department of Archeology at the cost of Rs 140 million.

According to her, the renovation of the Manakamana Temple in collaboration between government and local had spoken volume that the locals would develop their place themselves if they were active and determined.

Furthermore, the Head of the State underscored, “We need to move ahead preserving our culture, tradition and values as Nepal is a multi-cultural country.”

On the occasion, President Bhandari honoured the donors who supported in cash and in-kind for the renovation of the Temple.

The President, who flew to Gorkha in the helicopter of Nepal Army, also performed puja at the Manakamana Temple.

The Temple is open for the public since November 28, 2018, shared the Temple Renovation Committee Coordinator Narendra Babu Shrestha.