Local Residents and Devotees Urge Removal of Encroachments in Gokarneshwar Temple Area

Local residents and devotees have demanded the eviction of 14 houses built on encroached land within the Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple area. The encroachment has caused disruptions to religious activities and a shortage of space during festivals. The Kathmandu Valley Development Authority had committed to organizing the temple area by demolishing houses and relocating roads. April 3, Kathmandu.

Structures erected by encroaching on the land surrounding Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple have prompted requests from locals and worshippers for their removal. The temple holds significant religious, cultural, archaeological, and historical value, and devotees have long appealed for the clearance of encroached buildings. The limited space caused by these encroachments has created difficulties for various religious and cultural activities conducted in the area.

Located in Gokarneshwar Municipality Ward No. 4, the temple area experiences problems annually during the festival on Bhadra Krishna Aunsi (a specific lunar day). Similarly, during Ashwin Krishna Paksha (the period of ancestral rites), the restricted space in the temple precincts also causes complications. On Paush Krishna Aunsi, thousands of devotees seek shelter in the temple vicinity. Ward Chairperson Jayaram Mahat reported that 14 houses have been constructed on public land within this area.

Above the temple, there is approximately 650 ropani of community forest land. The Yagya Dol (Jagadol) community forest currently hosts construction of the National Martyrs and Civil Servants Memorial. Recently, the 14 houses on public land adjacent to the temple have been granted usufruct rights to a cooperative secondary school, as informed by Sudarshan Sigdel, chairman of the community forest user group. Despite previous efforts, the area has not been successfully regulated.

The Kathmandu Valley Development Authority received proposals to organize the Gokarneshwar temple area. At that time, the Development Commissioner Bhaikaji Tiwari pledged support for managing the temple precincts by demolishing houses and rerouting the road leading to Sundarijal. However, Komal Bahadur Bisht, chairman of the Gokarneshwar Temple Restoration and Roof Reconstruction Committee, stated that the ward did not cooperate then, hindering progress. The ward office noted that the residents occupying the temple land also own houses and land elsewhere. While encroachments are being cleared in other locations, locals and daily visiting devotees demand the removal of these structures to preserve the temple area.