President Paudel inaugurates Khadgakalika Temple in Tanahun

President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday inaugurated the historical Khadgakalika Temple located in Byas Municipality-11 Tanahunsur in the district. President Paudel inaugurated the temple in a programme held here on the occasion of the week-long World Heritage Day.

The Head of the State had arrived in his home district today for the temple inauguration event. The temple reconstruction started two years back with the financial support of the Department of Archaeology.

Constituent Assembly member Ramchandra Pokhrel, Gandaki Provincial Assembly member Ashok Kumar Shrestha, Byas Municipality Mayor Baikunth Neupane and other officials participated in the programme.

The Khadgakalika Temple was constructed around the year 1675 during the reign of King Mukundasena of Palpa. The temple was in a dilapidated state and it was reconstructed at a cost of Rs 5 million.

The palace in Tanahunsur was excavated by the Department of Archeology in 2076 BS (four years back). The Khadgadevi temple near the same palace has been reconstructed. Dal Bahadur Dura informed that the dilapidated temple has been reconstructed in its original architectural style. According to him, there is a legend that the Sen dynasty king used to worship in that temple.

Tanahun Kalika Temple has also been built in Byas-4, Damauli of Tanahun as a replica of Khadgakalika. Legend has it that the name of Tanahun district is derived from Tanahunsur. There is a history that Manimukunda Sen, the king of Palpa, sent his eldest son Bhringisen to rule the state in Tanahun in 1610 and eight Senvanshi kings after he ruled the state from Tanahunsur for two hundred and thirty years.

The remnants of Tanahunsur palace, forts used by the royal family, water spouts, cannons and other weapons, ordnance factory, Gaddi Chautara where the king conducts justice and court, Saune Kuva, Kundapani, Baisindhi Chautari, Dhungesangu, Phulpati Dhunga, Ranipokhari, Dharamshala, Ranibagincha, Bhagwati Pani Mandir are the tourist sites around here.