The pinnacle of the temple was removed at 11:30 am, which signaled the formal beginning of the temple's renovation.
The golden pinnacle of the temple is being kept safe in a locker at the chorus hall of the temple. The pinnacle was removed in presence of the chief district officer, local development officer, religious workers and the locals.Technicians who accessed the damage to the temple estimated that the renovation cost would go over Rs 80 million. However, as the renovation works could not begin on time, the estimated cost is expected to cross Rs 110 million, according to Narendra Shrestha, chairman of the temple renovation committee.
The catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake of April 25 has caused the temple to tilt 10 inches south west.
As the temple is set to be renovated from the base, the committee is also making arrangements for devotees visiting the temple to offer prayers and make ritual offerings on the temple premises.
However, the committee has yet to decide whether to allow worship on the temple premises. But the locals have demanded that worshipping on the temple premises be allowed.
After the quake, Manakamana cable car service had also halted operations due to which there had been a decline in the number of devotees visiting the temple. The cable service has resumed from Sunday but still not more than 100 devotees are visiting the temple every day.
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