Nepal begins reconstruction of heritage sites a year after earthquake

A year after a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake, the Nepalese government has initiated reconstruction of damaged cultural heritages on Monday.

Performing a traditional worship, Prime Minister Sharma Oli started reconstruction of the cultural heritages by laying a foundation stone to restore Anantapur Temple in Swayambhunath Stupa, which is enlisted as the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The temple located in the heart of capital Kathmandu receives thousands of foreign and domestic tourists every year. It was flattened by the earthquake on April 25 last year.

In a separate function, Chairman of the ruling UCPN (Maoist) Party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, laid the foundation to rebuild Manimandap, also a World Heritage site at Lalitpur-based Patan Durbar Square in the capital.

A senior leader of the opposition party Nepali Congress, Ramchandra Poudel, launched reconstruction of Banshagopal Temple located at Basantapur Durbar Square.

Chairman of Nepal's Peasants and Workers Party Chairman Narayanman Bijukshe also activated renovation as part of reconstruction of Fasi Dega Temple in Bhaktapur.

The Nepalese government reopened its UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu in mid-June last year.

The Basantapur, Patan and Bhaktapur durbar squares, and Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath temples were extensively damaged by the April 25 and May 12 disasters last year.

A total of 741 ancient sites, including temples, stupas and old palaces were destroyed or damaged in the devastating quakes.

Nepal marked the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake by various programs on Sunday and Monday. The powerful earthquake killed nearly 10,000 people and injured 23,000 others.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid a visit to Barpak of Gorkha, the epicenter of last year's earthquake, on Sunday while Prime Minister Oli met earthquake victims in Sindhupalchowk district. Endit