Trip Introduction: Heritage Disaster Tour in Nepal
The rich heritage of Nepal was highly affected by the earthquake which tore through the country. Yes! The land was hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Gorkha District on Saturday, April 25. The impact became more devastating after two other powerful aftershocks hit Nepal on 12 May 2015: a magnitude of 7.3 centered in Kodari and a magnitude of 6.3 centered in Ramechhap.
This disaster has caused a tremendous loss in our country. More than 9000 people died, and more than 23,000 got injured, with about 600,000 buildings destroyed. Centuries-old buildings were damaged in Kathmandu, mainly in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changunarayan Temple, and Swayambhunath Stupa all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Even though most of the city remained still, only 14 of the 77 districts have seen considerable damage, with only one National Park impacted out of ten and only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites displaying significant damage out of eight.
Even though the overview looks acceptable, the loss of lives with many families destroyed has put Nepal in a problematic scenario. Government and international funds are not sufficient to make up for the loss. The only solution is to start from the local level and make up for what is lost.
In the context of Tourism, out of 35 popular trekking routes, only two were highly affected. All the International and National airports were closed, but the emergency flights for evacuation were still in operation. Communications are functioning well. There have been no significant epidemics. Therefore, it is safe to travel.
That's why Trekking Planner Nepal has put together a "Heritage Disaster tour in Nepal" package, which includes sightseeing of the affected areas such asKathmandu Durbar Square,Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Sankhu village, Changunarayan temple and so on. The trip continues to Pokhara and Chitwan National Park, and we drive back to Kathmandu. If the itinerary does not match your interest and time frame, let us know, and we will take individuals to other affected areas.
The heritage Disaster tour in Nepal is a unique way to help Nepal and Nepalese people at this challenging time. So, visit Nepal as it moves towards restoration and rebuilding with a lively spirit. In this way, you'd also provide much-needed support to the local economy and help people while traveling and having fun who, despite these challenging times, have held their spirits strong and smiles on their faces!
How does the disaster tour in Nepal start and end?
A disaster tour in Nepal begins with a drive towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, located at the city's heart. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its architectural marvels and craftsmanship. The Kumari Ghar, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Taleju Bhawani, Kalabhairab, Shiva Parvati Temple, Nasal Chowk, Mohani Kali Chowk, and Sundari Chowk are some of the major attractions in Kathmandu Durbar Square.
After completing the visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the journey continues towards Swayambhunath temple. Swayambhunath stupa is a sacred Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop on the west side of Kathmandu, Nepal. The base of the stupa is the entry point of the stupa. This consists of 365 steps to reach the top of the stupa, representing each day of the year. Visitors here can see holy monkeys around the premises, which is why it is called "Monkey Temple."
After completing the tour of Swayambhunath stupa, the journey moves toward another holy site, Pashupatinath Temple. This is the oldest Hindu Temple devoted to Lord Shiva. The major attractions in the area are Mukhalinga, Guhyeshwari Temple, Gorakhnath Temple, and Western Cremation Ghats.
On the following day, the journey continues toward Patan Durbar Square. Patan Durbar Square was built during the mall era and holds historical and religious significance. The major attractions in the area include Krishna Mandir (Temple), Khumbeshwor, Rudra Varna Mahavihar, and the Ashoka stupas. During the visit, explorers can see the remnants of the artifacts, structures, and sculptures. Viewers will pass along refurbished temples and facilities under construction, all destroyed by the 2015 earthquake. The architects include Shankar Narayan, Jagan Narayan, and Uma Maheshwor, which are still renovating and rebuilding.
After finishing the tour of Patan Durbar Square, we moved towards Bungamati and Khokhana. The Newari Village, founded in the 7th century, is famous for manufacturing handmade clothing and mustard oil. These occasionally visited sites were also affected by earthquakes, which caused widespread damage to homes, temples, and other monuments.
The famous Machhindranath Temple in Bungamati was destroyed in the April 25, 2015 earthquake. For this reason, these sites are practical for assessing the damage and reconstruction projects. The journey then moves towards Boudhanath stupa and Sankhu Village. Boudhanath stupa is another World Heritage Site that broadcasts Nepal's rich Buddhist heritage. This white dome-shaped structure is covered with prayer flags and circled by prayer wheels. The prayer wheels surrounding the stupa are embedded with Buddhist mantras and chants. Visitors can even savor authentic Tibetan cuisines around the area. The journey for the day then moves towards Sankhu village. The Eight Gates, Bajrayogini Temple, and Swasthani Temple are major attractions.
Afterward, the heritage disaster tour takes us to another renowned UNESCO world heritage site, Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The major attractions in the area are Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Vatsala Temple, The famous 55-Window Palace, Bhairab Nath Temple, Nyatapola Temple, Lions Gate, Golden Gate, Peacock windows, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square Museum.
Reconstruction and restoration work has been ongoing on this site as the damages include the collapse of temples and other heritage sites. The Vatsala Durga Temple in Bhaktapur only opened after the devastating earthquake of 2015. Onwards, the tour commences towards Changunarayan Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Changunarayan Temple survived the catastrophic earthquake; however, the surrounding walls have been affected.
Before and After Conditions of the Earthquake Affected Heritage Sites
- Kathmandu Durbar Square: The notable structure that collapsed around the Kathmandu Durbar Square premise is Dharahara. It is a 9-story tower first made by the prime minister Bhimsen Thapa. This structure also collapsed in the 1933 A.D. earthquake and was reconstructed again. However, Dharahara collapsed again in 2015 A.D., leaving only the base. The Gaddi Durbar is a neoclassical palace in Kathmandu Durbar Square used for coronation and welcoming the head of state from other countries. The surrounding buildings collapsed during the earthquake, reducing some of the most beautiful temples.
- Swayambhunath Stupa: Many buildings and the Soyambhunath stupa were damaged. The stupa complex was affected. Some of the architectural monuments were partially damaged, while others were destroyed. The walls surrounding the memorials and shrines collapsed. Cracks can still be seen in these walls, reminding us of the earthquake's impact.
- Pashupatinath temple: The buildings, roofs, and pillars were destroyed in the Pashupatinath temple. Apart from the main temple, other structures like shrines and Dharamshala were also affected. The bridge above the holy Bagmati River also lost its structural efficiency, which was later destroyed in Shivaratri.
- Boudhanath stupa: The main stupa suffered structural cracks, and some portions were either fully or partially destroyed. The dome of the Boudhanath stupa sustained damages. Earthquakes also destroyed the surrounding monasteries, shrines, and other structures were also killed.
After the earthquake, the rebuilding process is ongoing. The monuments and architectural buildings are still under construction. Many national and international companies contributed to the remodeling and restoration of these sites. The restoration efforts were also started at the local level, including public fund collection. The damaged and displaced parts were somehow replaced, while many are still under reconstruction.
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