Kathmandu : Dharahara also called Bhimsen Tower, is a nine story (50.2m) tall tower at the center of Kathmandu. It was built in 1832 A.D. by the Prime Minister of the time, Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal. Thapa built the tower under the orders of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari.The tower has a spiral staircase inside containing 113 steps or none because there is an elevator. The 8th floor holds a circular balcony for observers that provides a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu valley. The tower has a 5.2m bronze mast on the roof. The tower has been open for the general public since 2005 for a small fee.
Dharahara is actually the second such tower made by Bhimsen Thapa. The original Bhimsen Tower was built in 1824 and was 11 stories high, 2 stories taller than Dharahara. Dharahara was built for queen Lalit Tripura Sundari, who was the niece of Bhimsen Thapa. She wanted a tower of her own next to Bhimshen’s Dharahara.Dharahara: The Pride of Kathmandu Valley
During the earthquake of 1834, both the towers survived, but Bhimsen’s tower suffered severe damage. 110 years later, on January 15, 1934, another earthquake caused Bhimsen’s tower to be completely destroyed.Only 2 of the 11 stories on the second tower remained. The prime minister of the time, Juddha Shumsher, renovated Dharahara to its previous form. While the original Bhimsen Tower was obliterated, queen Lalit Tripura Sundari’s tower got its name, ‘Bhimsen Stambha’.
The designs were prepared by Cage Consult Pvt. Ltd and JV Associates. According to the Dharahara reconstruction plan, the new Dharahara would be 245 ft. tall with 11-storeys. However, according to Architect Bishnu Panthi, it would be of 21-storeyed from the inside.
The estimated cost of the project is three Billion rupees and will be constructed in three years. According to Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Ananda Pokharel, many private organisations and Nepal Telecom have expressed their interest in financing the project. Also, Rs20 million has been collected from the campaign ‘I will build my Dharahara’, Minister Pokharel said.
The government has allocated 42 Ropanis land for the reconstruction of the Dharahara. Department of Archaeology had been seeking additional land from government citing that reconstructing new Dharahara in existing five Ropanis would look dull. The required additional land will be supplemented by acquiring the land of General Post Office and Taksar Department in Sundhara and the decision to this effect has been made by Cabinet, according Minister Ananda Pokharel.
Minsiter Pokharel claimed the new Dharahara would be earthquake resistant and could sustain up to 8 magnitude earthquake.
According to engineer Panthi, a Sundhara Garden will be built at the premises where a three-storeyed parking hall will be constructed. It will also house a water fountain, gift shop, a theater and a museum. The Dharahara area will be disabled-friendly, it is learnt.
The historic Dharahara, a popular landmark of Kathmandu, was destroyed by the April 25 earthquake last year. The original Dharahara, or also known as Bhimsen Tower, was 11-storeyed before 1934 earthquake reduced it to just nine storeys.
The old Dharahara wrecked by the earthquake will be kept intact while a new one with similar design will be built at the premise, it was announced in the programme.
