Reconstruction of Udayapurgadhi at final stages

By Our Correspondent,Gaighat, Dec. 22: Udayapurgadhi, an old fort situated in Ward No. 7 of Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality in Udayapur district, is getting restored to its former glory. The reconstruction of Udayapurgadhi started three years ago. Officials informed that 80 per cent of the work has been completed.

The fort lies around one kilometre north from the rural municipality’s centre. The fort, which is 250 years old, had been damaged due to different reasons over the years. Through the reconstruction, army bunkers, ordnance, and other structures are being reconstructed, informed officials of Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality.

The reconstruction is being performed under the joint investment of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. During the last fiscal year, Rs. 27.5 million was allocated for the reconstruction. “If the budget was insufficient, the federal government has assured to provide more,” said Man Bahadur Kepchhaki Magar, chairman of Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality.

“The contract for the reconstruction was awarded to AD/Siddhaghadhi/Nishan JV of Kathmandu under Rs. 21.8 million. The reconstruction is in the final stages as more than 80 per cent work have been completed,” said Magar.

Construction of a 130-metre diameter bunker around the fort is in the final stages. An octagon-designed fort will be constructed over the region surrounded by the bunkers.

“An iron bridge has also been constructed to cross the bunker region and enter the octagon-designed fort. The court and a well are also being reconstructed,” said Santosh Ray Tharu, an engineer of Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality.

The bunkers are being reconstructed by constructing a pillar of six-feet on the outer side and a 14-feet pillar on the inner side. A garden, public toilet, stage and view tower are also being constructed inside the fort.

The contractor is also designing the stones and materials used for the reconstruction with respect to the traditional style used in the fort before.

Four years ago, the government had listed Udayapurgadhi Fort as the 100 tourism destinations of Nepal. When the destination was included in the “Visit Nepal 2020” campaign, the reconstruction process was initiated.

During the time of Baisey and Chaubisey Rajya (22 and 24 States), King Prithvi Narayan Shah had captured the Udayapurgadhi and Chaudandigadhi Forst.

“Udayapurgadhi was then used by the military of the King of Gorkha while expanding the territory owned by Kirati Kingdom in the east. The fort was the place to store arms and ammunition while attacking on Bijaypurgadhi, Hatuwagadhi and Chaudandigadhi forts,” said Kaushal Chemjong, a historian who has written a book on Udayapur district.