By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 4: Reconstruction of Kasthamandap, the centuries-old resting place, has completed and now preparations are underway for its formal inauguration by the President, according to the Kasthamandap Reconstruction Committee (KRC).
Kasthamandap was rebuilt by using 9224.13 cubic feet Sal wood.
Organising a press meet and public hearing here on Friday, the KRC said that the newly reconstructed structure was built at a lower cost than the previously estimated budget.

Speaking at the programme, Rajesh Shakya, chairman of the committee, said that Kasthamandap has again stood as one of the model structure of traditional skill, equipment and wooden craft structure.
Kosh Prasad Acharya, former Director-General of the Department of Archaeology, said that the 2015 earthquake has provided an opportunity to properly study the traditional technique, method and materials used in the past.

Unfortunately, the opportunity of proper study was available only at the Kasthamandap even though it was necessary to have a deep research and study of the heritage monuments damaged by the earthquake.
The study and excavation revealed the unknown fact of Kasthamandap building date. The study said that it was built in the 7th century. The excavation has proved that the used traditional materials and technologies are more durable than the modern materials.

The structure had collapsed in the earthquake but its base structure was found in proper shape and line. The base structure was not affected by any earthquake, he said.
Gautam Dongol, secretary of the KRC, said that Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) had allocated Rs. 115 million to the committee in several installments.

In the last three years, it has brought about 9224.13 cubic feet of timbers in 24 installments. Of the total used wooden logs, 493.8 cubic feet was old wood.
Of the total expenditure, it spent Rs. 5.5 million in administrative sectors and Rs. 18.7 in construction sector, informed the committee.

Kasthamandap Reconstruction Committee was formed in May, 2018, to reconstruct and it started reconstruction process in July 2018.
It used old bricks, stones, wood and mud to rebuild the Kasthamandap that spreads in an area less than one ropani.