LALITPUR: The historic Sauga Hiti near Patan Durbar Square, which had been covered in moss and filled with stagnant water like a pond, has been cleaned and repainted.
The restoration and cleaning were carried out under the initiative of the Rotary Nyatapol Club, in collaboration with the Lalitpur Metropolitan Police, the Saugah Tole Improvement Committee, and the Mangalbazar Police Station.
According to Praveen Maharjan of Rotary Nyatapol, the hiti had accumulated about three feet of water. In the first phase, the water was drained, and the stone surfaces were scrubbed with steel brushes and cleaned with pressure pumps before being repainted. The paint was provided with support from KNP Nerolac.
Club President Bishnu Kant Ghimire said the effort was not only a cleaning activity but also part of a broader campaign to preserve cultural heritage and uphold public responsibility toward shared assets.
“This year, we have planned initiatives focusing on cultural heritage conservation, child-focused support, and collaboration with farmers, starting with the Sauga Hiti restoration,” he said.
Lalitpur Metropolitan Police Chief Sitaram Hachhethu expressed his happiness at being part of a heritage conservation effort that honors the creations of ancestors.
Built in the 16th century by Riddhi Narsingh Malla, brother of King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, Sauga Hiti is an exceptional example of artistic stone craftsmanship. The hiti was last renovated in 1965 by then-King Mahendra.
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