Kathmandu, December 10
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has initiated the reconstruction of the Chaughera Sattal (traditional rest house) located within the Mahankal Temple complex on the western side of Tundikhel.
Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol officially commenced the project on Monday with a foundation stone-laying ceremony and traditional jag puja rituals. The event was attended by Heritage and Tourism Committee Coordinator and Ward 8 Chairperson Ashaman Sangat, Ward 22 Chairperson Chinikaji Maharjan, temple priests, and members of the local guthi (trust).
Rs 105 million reconstruction project
The reconstruction project, valued at Rs 105.1 million, has been contracted to Binayak/SP/Bohora JV Construction Company. According to Kumari Rai, Chief of the Heritage and Tourism Department, the project emphasises the use of traditional materials and architectural styles.
Senior engineer Rabindra Rijal stated that the rest house will cover an area of 583.81 square meters, with each floor spanning 194.47 square meters. The ground floor will feature nine rooms, while the first floor will include three assembly halls, one room, and a storage area, topped by a buiṅgal (traditional attic). The reconstruction design is based on photographs taken in 1940.
The rest house will encompass the eastern, northern, and southern sides of the temple, with an ornate wall and entrance gate on the western side. The structure will feature traditional jhingati (clay tile) roofing, with the detailed project report prepared by the Urban Planning Commission.
Timeline and process
The public notice for reconstruction was issued on February 16, 2024. Of the five proposals submitted, only one passed the technical evaluation. The contractor was awarded the project on July 3, 2024, with the construction scheduled for completion by July 3, 2027.
1,305-year-old temple
According to priest Dipakharsh Bajracharya, the Mahankal Temple dates back approximately 1,305 years. Local legend associates the temple’s establishment with tantric master Shashwat Vajra and Lord Shiva’s celestial journey.
Currently, a small Mahankal shrine stands beside the police office near Tundikhel. Folklore suggests that Princess Bhrikuti, upon returning from Tibet, resided near Tundikhel, linking the site to her.
The temple is a sacred site for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees, particularly Tibetan Buddhists who consider it a pilgrimage destination. The Marwari community worships Mahankal as a manifestation of Shani Dev (Saturn).
