By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 4: A few historic temples in the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley still stand in support of wooden poles even five years after the massive earthquake in 2015.
The temples are awaiting renovation after standing in support of multiple wooden poles.
Kumari Ghar, Shiva Parvati Temple and Mahadev Temple, which are constructed by using stone beside the Dasavatar Temple in Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, are still standing in the support of multiple wooden poles.
Hundreds of national and international tourists visit the Kumari Ghar every day, but the structure has been awaiting renovation for five years.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City is handling the responsibility to retrofit the Kumari Ghar and Shiva Parvati Temple. The KMC has listed these temples for retrofitting, but it is not fixed yet when the retrofitting works would begin, said Aruna Nakarmi, Executive Director of Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee.
Gautam Shakya, president of Indrajatra Management Committee, said that the poles outside were removed during Indrajara festival but still several poles are supporting the Kumari Ghar from inside.
Shiva Parvati Temple is still standing in support of poles even though locals have frequently demanded for its reconstruction to preserve the artistically rich wooden carvings, said Gautam Lal Dangol, secretary of Kasthmandap Rebuilding Committee.
He said that there were two stone Mayur windows, rich in stone carving. “If the stone cravings get damaged once, they will vanish forever. They need to be preserved before demolishing the temple,” he said. However, in the Patan Durbar Square, no temple is standing in the support of such poles. Reconstruction of the temples which were fully or partially damaged and supported by poles has either completed or is in progress. Only Gajendra Mokchay Narayan Temple in the square is waiting for the reconstruction work.
Sandeep Khanal, chief of Patan Museum, said that three-storeyed Gajendra Temple did not stand in support of poles but it needed reconstruction as it suffered internal damage in the earthquake.
National Reconstruction Authority had formed a Consumer Committee to reconstruct it under the initiative of Lalitpur Metropolitan City and in the finical support of Japan government.
But the committee has not contacted the DoA to begin reconstruction works. That’s why the reconstruction process of this temple has not begun, Khanal said.
The 55-window Palace of Bhaktapur and some other temples of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are still awaiting renovation. They are also standing in support of multiple wooden poles.
According to the report of National Reconstruction Authority, of the total damaged temples, 382 are reconstructed while 121 are under construction.