Reconstruction of Brahma temple in Pashupati area begins 50 years after statue was stolen

The reconstruction of the dilapidated temple of Lord Brahma in the Pashupati area has started. Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and is credited with creating the universe and life.

The statue of Brahma that was stolen around 50 years ago has been kept in the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala ever since, said the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)-8 chairperson Aashaman Sangat. Following the reconstruction, the ‘rare’ statue of god Brahma will be installed in the temple, he said. The reconstruction is estimated to cost Rs 4 million provided by the KMC.

It has been found during the reconstruction that people have encroached upon the temple land by constructing private houses around, he said, claiming that the temple of god Brahma is the only one of this kind in all over Nepal. Sangat is also coordinator of the heritage and culture committee under the KMC.

The ward office has been at work to install the statue back in the temple, he said.

There were no private houses around the temple during the 2022 BS survey. But, many private houses have been built encroaching on the temple land, according to the 2042 BS survey.

The temple spanning seven aana of land has been now shrunk to only one and a half aana. So, the concerned authority and local people have been demanding investigations and that the temple should be saved from encroachment.