Reconstruction of Talbarahi Temple begins

Lekhanath: The reconstruction of the renowned Talbarahi Temple in Baidam, Pokhara Metropolitan-6, Kaski, has commenced. Metropolis Mayor Dhanaraj Acharya performed a puja to mark the beginning of the temple’s reconstruction during a ceremony today. The temple is located in the middle of the famous Fewa Lake in Pokhara.

During the event, local representatives emphasized that the responsibility for preserving and reconstructing the Talbarahi Temple lies with the people of Pokhara and the three levels of government.

As announced, the temple will be restored to its original form. The temple sustained damage in the 2015 earthquake, which caused it to tilt three inches southward.

The reconstruction project will be carried out in coordination with the Talabarahi Temple Guthi Management Committee and the Department of Archaeology. According to Committee Chair Hikmat Bahadur Kunwar, the estimated cost of the reconstruction project is Rs 14.5m. Of this amount, Rs 2.5m has been provided by the Department of Archaeology, with additional support expected from federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as the local community to complete the project.

With the demolition of the temple, a silver idol of goddess Barahi has been placed nearby through established rituals so that devotees can pay homage to the deity from there until the new structures are ready.

It is said that the main temple will be rebuilt within a year. The most recent temple structures were constructed in 2017 BS.

The temple’s existence dates back to 1667 AD, with some records even suggesting it might have been established as early as 1447 AD. The temple, initially founded by the then King of Kaski, Kulmandan Shah, holds significant historical importance.