Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the Balkumari temple at Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Ward No 8 today.

On the occasion Minister Bhusal gave assurances that the reconstruction of the temple would be carried out with support of all the three tiers of the government. “The local level has taken special initiation. The reconstruction would be completed within the stipulated time with the assistance of all three levels of the government,” she said. The temple was destroyed by the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

Minister Bhusal also on the occasion pointed out the need of carrying out research into this heritage site which was reconstructed for first time some 388 years back. Stating that the temple is connected to life and culture, the Minister said the historical study of the temple would be conducted after its reconstruction.

She also stressed on promotion of social goodwill and preservation of the nation through art and heritage, expressing the belief that the benefits of tourism could also be reaped by promoting culture and heritage. “The art and cultural heritages help in the social and economic development of the nation,” she opined. Lawmaker Krishna Lal Maharjan said all should dedicated to the nation’s development by preserving the heritages.

Chief of the Temple Construction Technical Team, Babu Ratna Awal said the temple would be reconstructed at a cost of Rs 40 million within one year. He said although the reconstruction works on the temple were started on August 19, it was formally inaugurated today.