Nepal Army renovates historic Purankot Fort

By Nabin Raj Kuikel

Lamjung, Mar. 23: The Nepal Army has begun renovating the historic Purankot Fort, which was in a dilapidated condition awaiting preservation. 

The Chandi Prasad Battalion of Udipur, Lamjung has started restoring the historic fort located at Besishahar Municipality-4.   

The fort is being restored by the Nepal Army on the basis of the estimated design made by the Department of Archeology, volunteer support and financial support from the army's western wing, Pokhara.

A 13-member team of the Nepal Army has been deployed to repair the fort, said Chitra Kumar Karki, Commander-in-chief. The army team has been repairing the fort since February 10.

According to Rajendra Aryal, the commander of the battalion, the foundation stones of the fort's ancient wall are being taken away. Meanwhile, a new structure featuring the wall is being built with intricately carved stones.

The army has stated that the repair work will continue to protect and promote the historically, religiously and archaeologically significant palaces, forts and foot trails in the district. It has been conducting special programmes to collect, document, preserve and promote historical documents related to the palaces and forts in the district, according to the Nepal Army. 

A few years ago, Besishahar Municipality constructed a view tower with a stupa to develop the place as a historical tourist destination. The fort is itself a historical tourist destination, a place from where the kings of Lumjung ruled.

Purankot Fort was a temporary palace of the then-rulers of Lumjung. The number of tourists visiting the fort built during Baise-Chaaubisye Rajyas has increased lately.

Dev Bahadur Gurung, proprietor of the Kaulepani Homestay said that the site was once the palace of Kalu Shah's queen and has been recognised as Purankot Fort dating back to the era of Yesho Brahma Shah.