Saturday, November 28, 2009

Historical landmark--Bhimsen tower lives like lighthouse

Saturday, November 28, 2009  ,  2 comments


 Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, Nov. 28


Dharahara (Nepali: धरहरा), known as Bhimsen Tower, is a nine-storey (50.2m) tower at the center of Kathmandu Valley. Built in European style in between 1824-32 AD (61.88m with 11 storeys) by then Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa, who dedicted it to queen Lalit Tripura Sundari on her wish, Thapa's niece.
 
After 110 years in January 15, 1934, an earthquake devasted the tower. Only two of the 11 stories survived safe. Contemporary PM Juddha Shumsher renovated Dharahara to its previous form but two-storey smaller than the original one.


 The tower has a spiral staircase inside containing 113 [213] steps. The 8th floor holds a circular balcony for observers that provides a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu valley. There is a small Shiva temple atop. The tower boasts of 5.2m bronze mast on the roof. General public were allowed to climb the tower since 2005 by paying a minimal charge. This historical monument is given to the private sector as per the Public Private Partnership for the operation that has registered the Tower to the insurance company.

2 comments:

  1. sushilpJanuary 21, 2010 at 2:18 AM

    Initially, there were 2 Dharaharas. First one built by Bhimsen Thapa and later, another by Rajyalaxmi Devi(queen of that era). The first one made by Bhimsen Thapa was damaged beyond repair during 1833 earthquake. The present Dharahara was re built 3 times, once after it was damaged by 1833 earthquake, second , when it was struck by lightning during 1850s and the third time after 1934 earthquake.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 10, 2010 at 1:55 PM

    It's not an European styled tower, but Mugal styled tower.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)