Fire engulfs centuries-old Buddhist artifacts in Gorkha [In Pictures]

KATHMANDU: Centuries-old Buddhist artifacts have been lost in a devastating fire that broke out at Pungyen Monastery in Lho village, Chumnubri-2, Gorkha district.

Locals suspect an electrical short circuit caused the fire. The fire, which broke out at around 4 pm on Tuesday, could be doused after six hours only. The fire completely destroyed the monastery and the valuable Buddhist artifacts it housed, according to Nima Lama, the chairman of Chumnubri Rural Municipality.

“The fire has caused huge damage. Valuable ancient Buddhist books have been destroyed. We cannot calculate the loss yet,” Lama added.

A preliminary study has estimated that the fire at Pungyen Monastery has caused a loss of around Rs 300 million, according to Gandaki Province Assembly Member Nanda Prasad Neupane. On Wednesday morning, a team of officials, including Neupane, Gorkha CDO Shankari Hari Acharya, and the Chief of District Police Office, Gorkha, SP Kedar Khanal, visited Lho to assess the situation and inspect the damage.

According to government records, the monastery was built more than 200 years ago.

Neupane told Himal Press that he will take necessary steps to ensure the prompt restoration of the Pungyen Monastery which holds great significance for the local community. “The rebuilding of the monastery is a priority, as it is closely tied to the religious beliefs of the people,” he added.

Similarly, Chairman Lama said the monastery will be reconstructed in coordination with the local, province and federal governments.