Dixya Poudel

The world is going through an agonising time as it struggles with the coronavirus pandemic. And today news is rife about the infections on the rise, the damage to economy and the struggle in the health system, among others. As such, it is a reassuring change to read about the restorations of the heritage sites in Nepal which were destroyed in the devastating 2015 earthquake.
According to the Department of Archaeology (DoA), the restoration of 150 heritage sites will be completed by the current fiscal year. The temples and shrines within the World Heritage Sites such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhu, Bouddhanath, Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square have mostly been reconstructed.
When I was a young child, I visited the Kathmandu Valley for the first time. I recall countless houses made up of bricks and cement that endlessly stretched to a concrete cluster. But there were also traditional shrines, temples, monuments and historic buildings that adorned the city. I remember visiting various temples along with my family and relatives to extend prayers to the deities. However, my memories of Kathmandu are more vivid from my school field trip to the valley. Along with my friends, I climbed those steep steps in Swayambhu and viewed the sprawling valley from the hilltop. We marvelled at the beautiful arts and architectures of the Durbar Squares as we took photos through our digital cameras which were in trend then. I took from the tour the magnificent memories of the arts and architectures of Kathmandu. Then of course, I returned to Pokhara but my ties with Kathmandu would be strengthened once I became the resident of Kathmandu Valley years later. Since living in the valley, I have visited and revisited temples and stupas. Most important among them were Pashupatinath temple, Changunarayan temple, Swayambhu stupa and Bouddhanath stupa. I have also viewed in wonder at the three Durbar Squares on each visit. Together they form the seven World Heritage sites within the valley and the visitors can clearly understand why when they view the wonders of these historic sites. All of these sites represent the significant traditional arts, architectures and crafts of Kathmanduites that stretch back to centuries.
Durbar Square means a "place of palaces" and there are three of those in the valley. They were built in the Licchavi dynasty and further refurbishments, additions and modifications were made during the Malla dynasty. Pashupatinath temple which is a renowned and revered Hindu temple is the oldest temple in Nepal. Built in the 5th century, the temple was significantly reconstructed in the 17th century. The pagoda style of architecture can be evident in the main temple made with carved wood, copper and gold. Bouddhanath and Swaymbhu are the two prominent Buddhist stupas in the country. Bouddhanath is a majestic stupa situated in the northeast of Kathmandu. Likewise, Swayambhu is one of the oldest religious sites in the nation, built in the 5th century AD while Changunarayan is a Hindu temple of great historic value.
The pride of all Nepalis lies with these sites as they represent the nation's glorious art and architecture throughout its history. Thus the works carried out to restore these sites should be applauded. It has definitely been encouraging news during these rather precarious times.