Temple linked with warrior Ujir Singh awaits repair

By Rekhi Ram Rana,Tansen, Aug. 3:The roof of the historic Bhagwati Temple in Tansen, Palpa, has not been repaired for a long time. Instead, it has been covered with plastic sheets to stop water leakage during monsoon season.

The temple, which is linked with the Nepal-British war awaits renovation to restore its previous glory.

The Temple Management Committee has reported that the lack of budget to repair the roof has compelled them to cover the temple with plastic.  

As soon as it rains, water leaks, putting the temple at further risk, said Ashokman Maharjan, Chairman of the Temple Management Committee. He added that it was challenging to perform prayers inside the temple during the rainy season.

Although the committee requested a budget from all three levels of government for the renovation of the temple, sufficient funds have not been allocated, said Maharjan. 

“The committee is seeking funds to reconstruct the temple. It is estimated that more than Rs. 50 million will be required to restore the temple to its original form,” said committee secretary Prakash Gangol. 

Gangol added that the temple's roof leakage could result in the collapse of the structure, and there is an urgent need to rebuild the temple in its original style. However, sufficient funds from the federal and provincial governments have not been provided. 

This year, Rs. 4 million was allocated by the provincial government, but this amount is insufficient, he informed.

The temple was built 200 years ago by Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa, who was posted in Palpa at the time. Before heading to battle, Colonel Thapa prayed to Mahishamardini, vowing to build a larger temple and organise a chariot procession for Goddess Bhagwati if victorious. With the goddess's blessings, Nepal won the battle.

Following their victory in the Nepal-British war in 1871/72 BS, Colonel Thapa built the temple and promoted the reverence of the goddess Bhagwati. Since then, the tradition of carrying the idol of Bhagwati through Tansen Bazaar began.

Initially, a two-story temple was built after the first few years of the war. Later, the temple was reconstructed as a three-story structure, but after the earthquake in 1990 B.S., it was rebuilt as a two-story temple, said historian Nirmal Shrestha.

It has been nearly 100 years since the reconstruction of the Bhagwati Temple after the 1934 earthquake. Due to the lack of attention from the authorities to its deteriorating condition, the temple associated with Nepali warrior Ujir Singh Thapa is in a dilapidated condition, Shrestha added.