Gahana Pokhari being restored

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 10: Handigaun, a historical town, is famous for two major festivals, Gahana Khojne Jatra (Festival of Searching for the Jewel) and Satya Narayan Jatra, also known as the 'Kahi Nabhaeko Handigaun Jatra.’  

The Gahana Khojne Jatra is performed annually at Gahana Pokhari in Ward No. 5 of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).  

The restoration work of this historical pond, Gahana Pokhari, located in Handigaun, began on November 4 after performing a forgiveness ritual.

The pond is being restored at a cost of Rs. 52 million by Kathmandu Metropolitan City “We are working under the Master Plan to return Handigaun to its ancient glory,” said Birendra Prajapati, Chairperson of Ward No. 5 of the KMC, regarding the reconstruction.

Ward Chairperson Prajapati added, “Originality and cultural identity are the main foundations of the reconstruction. We are now following the ancient style while correcting the shortcomings of the past.”Recalling the pond’s earlier structure, Prajapati said, “Previously, it was lower at the edges. When people entered the pond carrying a khat during processions, the water would first reach their ankles. As they went further, the depth gradually increased. The excitement of that experience was unique. Over time, however, this design was lost and the pond turned into something resembling a swimming pool with deep water from the very edge, which could be dangerous. We will correct this by restoring the traditional design, making it shallower at the edges and deeper toward the center.”

He further said that the water flowing into the pond comes from Budhanilkantha, along with some local sources. “We found that the Radha Krishna temple, located next to the pond, has a water channel originating from Budhanilkantha. During the Jatra, water used to be poured into this channel,” he added, recalling local traditions.

“This is an important project of the KMC for the restoration of cultural heritage,” said Kumari Rai, Head of the Department of Heritage and Tourism of KMC. According to Senior Engineer Rabindra Rijal, the project’s focal person, the restoration will include the pond itself, a surrounding walkway, greenery promotion, and new structures such as a children’s play area and a Falcha in the open spaces. The pond will cover an area of 13,000 square feet.

A police station will be built on the southwest side, and a building will be constructed nearby. The ground floor of this building will serve as a tourist information center, and the upper floor will house a library.

Folklore Related to Gahana Pokhari

The pond, where the Gahana Khojne Jatra (Festival of Searching for the Jewel) is held annually, was once believed to be a lake from which fire continuously emerged.

A golden box was said to appear there. Anyone who tried to take it would drown in the lake and never return. It is believed that the gold inside the box was part of the crown treasure of the future Buddha, Bodhisattva Maitreya, and that the lake was guarded by serpents.Antiquity of Handigaun (Nara: De)

Handigaun, considered the center of the Lichchhavi urban civilization, was once governed by an independent state system. It was a place where one could observe diverse cultural heritage including temples of Shiva, religious sites, ancient architecture, paintings, sculptures, chaityas, and bihars — all in one area.

This locality is believed to be the oldest center of culture and heritage from the pre-Lichchhavi, Burmese, and Lichchhavi periods. Evidence of ancient settlements and temples from the pre-Lichchhavi era has been found in the Satyanarayan complex.

Archaeological remains and foundations of other heritage structures dating back to the second century BC are found only in this area. Temples and sites such as Manmaneshwori, Satyanarayan, Garuda, Bharavi’s tap, Dabli, Choktya Narayan’s Chowk, and the miraculous lake of Kailashkut Bhavan all form part of the rich history of this region.