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Imla Ganesh Restoration Project 2011
Guthi Australia works towards the conservation of heritage in both Australia and Nepal. Guthi Australia aims to undertake a restoration project in Nepal once every two years. In 2011, Guthi Australia will be involved in the restoration of the Imla Ganesh temple in Sankhu and will be partnering with Friends of Sankhu (Implementing Agency) and Vereniging Nepal Nederland (Co-funding agency). Guthi Australia believes in working with the local community and empowering them to enable the continual maintenance of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The rituals, customs, traditions, festivals, music, dances are just as important as the monument/structure itself. Guthi Australia will therefore, work to ensure that both aspects of heritage (physical and non-physical) will be conserved. To achieve this aim, Guthi Australia is also looking into the possibility of having a heritage workcamp at Sankhu in 2011 where various interested individuals from all around the world can take part in the restoration process. This will enable a better appreciation of Nepali cultural heritage and will provide this opportunity to individuals outside Nepal. The heritage workcamp will also be integrated with various other cultural tours in Kathmandu and short treks such that one can fully experience Nepal's cultural and natural diversity. More information on this will follow shortly. If you are interested in attending such a heritage workshop in Nepal next year, then do write to Neelam Pradhananga at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Monday, 24 May 2010 12:14
Locational Aspects
Sankhu is a small Newar town situated 17 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is rich in its cultural and traditional heritage with numerous public and religious monuments. There are several temples, monuments, rest houses (satah) and meeting places (phalcha). For every monument, a guthi would most likely have existed - a socio-religious organization formed to look after, maintain and preserve the monument and its associated culture. To ensure this occurred, guthis often had lands endowed; these lands were often tilled and this was a continuous source of income. Unfortunately most of such guthis have disappeared. Many important heritage monuments are, therefore, in a dilapidated condition. And thus, the need for monuments to be preserved and restored is increasing day by day.
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Imla Ganesh Restoration Project 2011
Monday, 24 May 2010 12:23
Historical Background - Imla Ganesh Temple, SakhuThe art and architecture that survives till today in Nepal is mostly dated from the Malla period (13th to 18th century AD) and many also dates back to the Licchavi period (4th to 9th century). Some of them survived the two major earthquakes that occurred in Nepal in 1833 AD and 1934 AD which destroyed most buildings. Although many of the monuments destroyed were reconstructed, some of these lost their original shape and in some cases, they disappeared all together.
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Imla Ganesh Restoration Project 2011
Monday, 24 May 2010 12:24
Present Context
People remember it as a two storeyed pagoda-styled temple before it collapsed during the massive earthquake in 1934. Although, it was somewhat renovated in the aftermath of the 1934 earthquake, its original shape was lost and at present it stands as a single storeyed temple. Time to time, local people carried out its maintenance but, a lack of resources has meant that they have not yet been able to bring it back to its original structure. As for now, it remains in a neglected condition and a dilapidated state with little maintenance.
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Imla Ganesh Restoration Project 2011
Monday, 24 May 2010 12:25
Feasibility AnalysisThe FOS is interested in restoring the Imla Ganesh temple to its orginal glory. By restoring this temple, the FOS hopes to set an example for the future generations of Nepal to continue with such altruistic work. In this process, the FoS carried out a survey whereby the elderly people of the locality who accurately remember the original structure of the temple were consulted. The FOS has developed an architectural design of the temple based on the memory of those people a few years ago. It has also made a cost estimation to search for funding to restore the temple at the earliest possible date. However, the restoration project could not move forward as sufficient funding could not be found. The Vereniging Nederland Nepal (VNN), which on several occasions has financially supported the restoration of monuments in Sankhu, has once again extended its helping hands by deciding to provide £ 5000. This amount has greatly encouraged the undertaking but is still far below the estimated cost of NRs 22, 64, 202. Guthi Australia (GA) has great interest in contributing to the conservation of heritage in Nepal and therefore, has a target to raise AUD $ 20,000 towards meeting the costs of the project. Besides manual and volunteer support from the local people, the FOS is also expecting some financial contribution from the Pukhulachi VDC.
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Imla Ganesh Restoration Project 2011
Monday, 24 May 2010 12:28
Proposed Budget Click to view larger imageThe budget for this restoration project has been estimated to NRS.22,64,202.20 including a contingency of 5%. A detailed abstract of the estimated can be viewed in the attached image.
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Imla Ganesh Restoration Project 2011
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Imla Ganesh is one of the most important temples in Sankhu. This temple is widely known for its ritual significance. This temple also hosts a shrine of the goddess Kumari, one among eight mother goddesses (asta matrika) of the town. The temple is situated in Imla quarter, which is at the centre of the town and adjacent to the ancient royal palace (layaku) where a Village Development Committee building of Pukhulachi has been built.
