By Indira Aryal
Bhaktapur, Dec. 6: A dumping site in the vicinity of Kumari temple at Bode Ward No. 8 in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality has been converted into a beautiful park after the local government took up responsibility of beautifying the city.
Until a few years ago, the place was filled with piles of waste dumped from households nearby. Attracted by the park, people have started frequenting the place throughout the day. While some are seen doing strenuous exercise in the morning, others are seen taking strolls and enjoying the ambience of the park rest of the time.
Earlier, locals used to visit the place to offer their prayers in the temple nearby.
According to mayor of the Municipality, Mandan Sundar Shrestha, over time the place has been able to draw more and more tourists.
He said that the temples, buildings, stone spouts and other physical infrastructure in the area have been reconstructed with the investment of the municipality as well as the help of local youth groups.
Krishna Bahadur Hona, advisor to the Park Construction Consumer Committee, said, "After the construction of Shankhadhar Park in Naya Thimi, the locals of the area had requested the municipality to build a park in this place as well.”
As the construction work of this park nears its completion, in addition to the locals of Madhyapur, other visitors from different parts of the valley are coming to see the place for various purposes. Some even come to shoot a film.
“With the temple in the middle of the park and glittering lights all-around, the place looks like a piece of heaven in the evening,” Hona said.
Mayor Shrestha said that 20 per cent budget for the reconstruction work was contributed by the consumer group while 80 per cent was provided by the municipality, and that the temple, pavilions, stone fountains and other physical objects in the area had been restored.
"The development of art, culture and heritage of the municipality has been possible due to the positive role played by the locals and those who are eager to develop and beautify it.”
Mayor Shrestha added that the municipality had made a master plan to renovate Patis and Pauwas (resting places), temples, dilapidated historic buildings, stone taps, ponds, entrance staircase and dabli keeping their traditional style intact.