KATHMANDU: A decade has passed since the devastating earthquake that struck Barpak in Gorkha on April 25, 2015.
The 7.8-magnitude quake, which hit at 11:56 am, resulted in immense loss of life and widespread destruction of infrastructure and cultural heritage across the country.
Nearly 9,000 people lost their lives in the disaster, and thousands of homes, government buildings, schools, and heritage structures were reduced to rubble.
Among the worst-hit sites was the Hanumandhoka Durbar area in Basantapur, Kathmandu — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The quake damaged 73 heritage monuments, including one main square and four adjoining squares within the Hanumandhoka protected area.
In the ten years since, significant progress has been made in restoring Kathmandu’s cultural landmarks. Structures such as Kasthamandap, Gaddi Baithak, Nautale Durbar, Bishnu Temple, and Trailokya Mohan Temple have been reconstructed and reopened to the public.
The extensive reconstruction effort has been a collaborative undertaking. The Department of Archaeology, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, provincial governments, foreign donor agencies, traditional Guthis, and local users’ committees all played vital roles in rebuilding these cultural treasures.
As Nepal marks the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, the restored monuments of Basantapur stand as a symbol of resilience — honoring both the memories lost and the strength of communities that helped rebuild the nation’s heritage.
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