Nuwakot. Even 10 years after the Gorkha earthquake, the reconstruction of the earthquake-damaged Durga Ratna (Satatale Durbar) and surrounding religious and archaeological heritage sites in Nuwakot has not yet been completed. After the Chinese team responsible for the reconstruction delayed returning to the work area, the reconstruction has finally begun 10 years after the earthquake.
As per the agreement with the Nepalese government, the Chinese team responsible for the reconstruction has returned to the work area in Bidur Municipality-2 and is currently preparing for the start of the reconstruction.
Sunil Pandey, head of the Monument Conservation and Palace Care Office, said that the restoration, reconstruction, strengthening and conservation work has been carried out according to the technical requirements of the religious, cultural and archaeological structures here, including the Satatle Palace.
According to him, the Nepalese government and As per the agreement with the Department of Archaeology, the Chinese side is carrying out pre-reconstruction work. ‘Although the palace reconstruction work has not progressed as per the target, the work is now being carried out at a rapid pace,’ said Chief Pandey. ‘The Chinese technicians, including workers who have been in the work area since last August, have started the work.’
As part of the program to assist in the reconstruction of structures damaged by the earthquake, the Chinese government has taken the responsibility of renovating and strengthening eight different structures of religious and archaeological importance here, including the seven-story palace in Nuwakot.
The Chinese side has sent the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage to reconstruct the palace. According to the understanding between the two countries, the work was completed within 45 months as per the agreement signed in Jestha 2076 BS between the Department of Archaeology and the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, which was responsible for the construction.
The work has now started after the Chinese side was positive to proceed with the reconstruction through the new agreement. However, no additional period has been mentioned. The Chinese side has stated that the first phase of the work will be completed within 45 months of the start of the work as per the previous agreement.
The goal under the first phase is to complete the reconstruction of the seven-storey palace and the temple of Tulja Bhavani. According to the study of Chinese technicians, preparations are underway to reconstruct both the palace and the temple through renovation.
Technical studies are underway for the reconstruction, renovation, strengthening and conservation of the remaining guardhouses, Rangmahal, Lampati, Sheetalpati, Vishnu and Narayan temples. During the unification of Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah built the Durga Ratna (Seven Palace) in Nuwakot after conquering Nuwakot on Asoj 15, 1801 BS.
It is mentioned in history that Prithvi Narayan Shah had been conducting his affairs through the Nuwakot Palace until the conquest of the Kathmandu Valley. He made the palace the main administrative center of the state and mentioned that Nuwakot was the capital of the country.
The aforementioned historical palace and its structure were damaged by the devastating earthquake that occurred on 12 Baisakh 2072 BS. Although the Chinese side, which was responsible for the reconstruction of the palace and its structure, came to the work area to start work in Asad 2076 BS, they returned with a khat (a khat) to prevent further damage at that time.
Currently, the strengthening of the Nuwakot palace and the Lichchhavi era Tulja (Taleju) Bhavani temple located next to the palace has been taken forward.
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