KATHMANDU: The construction of a cable car at the Pathibhara temple in Taplejung has sparked protests among locals and cultural advocates, who argue that the project threatens the religious and cultural significance of the sacred site.
Pathibhara temple, a revered pilgrimage site, is traditionally approached on foot, beginning two kilometers below the summit.
Devotees follow customary rituals, including worship at the base, offerings at Kanchhithan, and hanging a sacred thread before ascending. Walking uphill for nearly three hours is believed to please the goddess, forming a central aspect of the pilgrimage.
Critics, including local activist Chandra Maden, argue that the cable car will disrupt these traditions.
“The construction disregards our cultural heritage. The ritual of tying the thread at Kanchhithan and walking uphill is integral to Pathibhara’s religious essence,” said Maden.
He also alleged that the project proceeded without an environmental impact assessment and accused authorities of forcibly moving forward with construction despite local opposition.
Tanka Bahadur Limbu, a member of the Save Pathibhara Mukkumlung Movement, emphasized the site’s cultural significance for the Limbu community.
“This is not just a pilgrimage site but a cultural power center. Walking to the temple is part of the worship, and taking a cable car would erode this practice,” he said, adding that such methods are inconsistent with traditions at religious sites globally.
Protests have escalated in both Taplejung and Kathmandu. Demonstrators staged a sit-in at the central office of Global IME Bank, operated by IME Group, whose chairman, Chandra Dhakal, is leading the cable car project.
The conflict intensified after the foundation stone for the cable car was laid on November 8 amid heavy police presence, which locals claim was used to suppress their voices.
During clashes last Saturday, three protesters were reportedly injured after the police fired rubber bullets.
Locals have now united under the ‘No Cable Car Group,’ strongly opposing what they view as the government’s prioritization of private interests over the welfare of the public and cultural heritage.
Protesters insist they will not accept a project that undermines the religious and cultural identity of Pathibhara-Mukkumlung, a sacred site for the Limbu community.
The government and developers have yet to address these grievances in a way that satisfies the local population, leaving the issue unresolved and tensions high.
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