KATHMANDU: The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has removed the iron railings that were installed at the Pashupatinath Temple nearly a decade ago inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to Subhash Chandra Joshi, Acting Member-Secretary of the Trust, the decision was taken as part of ongoing efforts to better organize and preserve the temple premises. Joshi said many devotees have welcomed the removal, noting that it restores the temple’s traditional open layout.
Cultural expert Hariprasad Sodari, one of the supporters of the move, said removing the railings inside the main temple was a positive step toward restoring its cultural and spiritual integrity. He added that other distortions, such as restrictions on lighting traditional oil lamps and the practice of preventing devotees from offering flowers and prasad, should also be corrected.
The Department of Archaeology had earlier written to PADT, warning that the presence of such non-traditional installations could undermine the heritage value and authenticity of the World Heritage Site. According to the department’s Chief Archaeology Officer, Sandip Khanal, the railings were removed shortly after the correspondence.
PADT officials say further steps will be taken to ensure that the temple area aligns with heritage norms and enhances the devotional experience for pilgrims.
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