The reconstruction of the historic Rudrayani Devi Temple located in Khokana, Lalitpur Metropolitan City-21, remains incomplete. It has been four years since the reconstruction work began following the damage caused by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Recent reports indicate a lack of sufficient budget is hampering progress.
The Lalitpur Metropolitan City, providing financial support for the project, entrusted the task to the local Rudrayani Devi Reconstruction Consumer Committee. According to the committee’s chairman, Bekhnar Maharjan, the temple reconstruction work has been proceeding according to the annual budget allocated by the metropolitan city.
Uday Kumar Dangol, chairman of the Rudrayani Devi Guthi, stated that the delay in the temple’s reconstruction is due to budget constraints. He mentioned, “The reconstruction has been delayed due to a lack of funds. Work has been conducted in line with the annual budget of the metropolitan city. So far, over NPR 40 million has been spent, and it is anticipated that the work might be completed in another two years.”
In the meantime, the deity has been temporarily housed in a provisional temple, as noted by Hara Bahadur Dangol, a member of the Rudrayani Guthi. He expressed hope that the temple’s timely completion will facilitate the Rudrayani Devi festival and rituals.
The Rudrayani Devi Temple Reconstruction Committee, which initially estimated the cost at approximately NPR 80 million, now forecasts that the total expenditure could exceed NPR 100 million. The temple traditionally begins its worship services from the day of Ghatasthapana every year.
