The temple had developed various cracks in the massive earthquake of 2015 and subsequent aftershocks. Department’s Engineering Section Chief, Sampat Ghimire, said the temple had to be demolished as it could give way anytime and posed risk to the devotees and tourists visiting the site.

He added that the temple would be rebuilt in its old structure and would be quake-resilient.

The Swayambhunath Stupa complex is listed as the World Heritage Site and the DOA and the Federation of Swayambhu Management and Conservation are currently conducting a research for renovation of the other ancient monuments and stupas that were damaged during the quake, Federation’s General Secretary, Mahendra Ratna Bajracharya said. RSS