The renovation of the famous Shakti Peeth Malika Bhagwati Temple has commenced.
According to Khima Sapkota, the General Secretary of the Malika Bhagwati Temple Management Committee, the renovation is being funded with NRs 5.4 million received from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation.
Sapkota explained, “Historically, a shrine was worshipped at this site, and a small cement temple was constructed there. After that temple deteriorated, the renovation began with the initiative of the tourism ministry.” He added, “The temple is being artistically rebuilt with stones and wood surrounding the divine stone.”
The new temple is being constructed in a three-story pagoda-style surrounding the sacred stone, with support from other donors. He mentioned that infrastructure, including the Malika Temple, walls, the snake temple, resting places, and a playground, will be built within the current fiscal year.
Currently, the temple is being renovated in the artistic style of Bhaktapur. The construction involves carving from a single stone, and windows and doors are being imported from Bhaktapur.
Stones are being carved from Kalighat in Lalitpur, and the temple will feature artistic designs and a copper roof. There is a legend that the shrine dates back to the Malla era, and it is a common practice to worship the Malika Temple as a sister of the Kalika Temple in Baglung.
