16th century temple rebuilt in National Poet's village

Nabin Raj Kuinkel,Lamjung, Apr. 24:  In Bahundanda of Lamjung, the village of national poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire, a historically and religiously significant temple destroyed by the earthquake has been reconstructed. The local community raised funds both domestically and internationally to reconstruct the temple. 

To rebuild the Devi Temple in Bahundanda, Marsyangdi Rural Municipality–6, locals collected nearly Rs. 6 million from Nepalis living at home and abroad. It is believed that the temple was originally built in the 16th century and was destroyed during the 2015 earthquake.

Following the earthquake in 2015, the Devi Than Preservation Committee was formed in 2023 under the leadership of local Mani Prasad Gurung. 

According to Gurung, the reconstruction was made possible through donations from Nepalis who have faith in the Devi Than Temple and are living both in Nepal and abroad.

According to Treasurer Binod Gurung, 385 individuals offered donations for the temple reconstruction. The preservation committee received Rs. 5,991,806. So far, more than Rs. 6 million has been spent on the temple’s construction. Dr. Takraj Gurung, Minister for Economic Affairs of Gandaki Province, inaugurated the newly reconstructed temple. 

He said that the provincial government has been supporting the preservation of history and the development of religious tourism.

Chairman of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, Arjun Gurung, said the municipality will provide necessary support for the construction of additional structures and promotion of the temple. 

Committee secretary Bishnu Raj Ghimire said that they would work to link the reconstructed Devi Than Temple with tourism in order to revitalise the region’s economy.

Historical records show that the temple was built in 1510 B.S. by Kushmakhar Ghimire, who was born in then Pustun Bahundanda. 

Ghimire was a chief strategist in establishing King Yashobrahma Shah in Lamjung, marking the emergence of the Shah dynasty. 

During the excavation of the Devi Temple, records dating back to 1825 B.S. were found, according to Krishna Chandra Ghimire, advisor to the Devi Than Preservation Committee. 

He also mentioned that there are historical accounts of sages and yogis from various regions performing penance at the temple.

Another committee advisor, engineer Hemnath Ghimire, affirmed that the temple was indeed established by Kushmakhar Ghimire based on historical records and legends. 

The old Devi Than Temple was previously renovated in 1989 by local Khus Bahadur Gurung, who was serving in the Indian Army at the time.