Lalitpur Municipality Bans Sitting on Patan Durbar Square Temples

In a move to safeguard the cultural and historical significance of Patan Durbar Square’s temples, Lalitpur Municipality has taken a significant step by imposing a prohibition on sitting within the premises of select temples in the area. The decision, spearheaded by LMC Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan, aims to deter inappropriate behavior by youngsters and maintain the integrity of the revered landmarks.

The newly introduced rule comes in response to concerns about the indecent activities witnessed on the temple premises, often involving young individuals. Scores of people have been observed engaging in casual merrymaking and socializing on the platforms of temples, leading to potential degradation of the ancient stones and wooden artifacts.

Effective immediately, the prohibition applies to three prominent temples within Patan Durbar Square: Biswonath Temple, Hari Shankar Temple, and Jagat Narayan Temple. Visitors and locals alike will be prohibited from idly sitting on the platforms of these temples. City police will enforce the rule, ensuring compliance until midnight to ensure the preservation of these invaluable heritage sites.

Notably, the historic stone-carved Krishna Temple, which holds deep ritualistic significance for the community, has been excluded from the prohibition due to its daily worship practices and importance to the local culture. The decision to spare this temple from the rule demonstrates a thoughtful balance between heritage preservation and religious observance.

The catalyst for this significant decision was a viral video that circulated on social media featuring a concerned foreigner expressing dismay over people sitting on temple premises. The individual rightly pointed out the potential deterioration that such actions could inflict upon these remarkable heritage sites, emphasizing the need for proactive measures.