The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of the historic Nepali temple located at Konhara Ghat in Hajipur. During an inspection visit on Saturday, the heritage body emphasized the immediate need for conservation efforts to protect this significant cultural monument.
Heritage Body Sounds Alarm Bell
INTACH national president Ashok Singh Thakur led a team of experts to assess the temple's condition. The delegation conducted a thorough examination of Bihar's rare heritage structure, noting both its architectural significance and its current vulnerable state. During the inspection, Thakur expressed particular admiration for the temple's woodcraft, which he compared to the famous art of Khajuraho.
The team observed that the neglect of this important monument could have implications beyond cultural preservation. Thakur specifically highlighted that such disregard might potentially impact the diplomatic relations between India and Nepal, given the temple's cultural significance to both nations.
INTACH Offers Conservation Expertise
INTACH has formally expressed its willingness to undertake conservation work, citing the organization's previous experience in restoring wooden temples damaged during the Nepal earthquake. The heritage body has already approached former chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh regarding the matter, proposing that both the Nepali temple and Ara House should be preserved with INTACH's cooperation.
Thakur clarified that since the monument is protected by the state government, the primary responsibility for its conservation lies with state authorities. However, he made a significant offer: "If the state government takes INTACH's cooperation in this, INTACH would not lag behind in providing its technical expertise and even financial resources to preserve such an important monument."
Comprehensive Heritage Assessment
The inspection team included INTACH Bihar chapter members Bhairab Lal Das and Shiv Kumar Mishra, who accompanied Thakur during the temple tour. Following their assessment of the Nepali temple, the delegation expanded their visit to include other significant heritage sites in the area, including Konhara Ghat, Navgrah Temple, Navgrah Koop, and the old mosque.
This comprehensive approach underscores INTACH's commitment to preserving the complete cultural landscape of the region. The organization's intervention comes at a critical time when many historical structures across Bihar face similar challenges of neglect and deterioration.
The situation highlights the ongoing struggle to balance development with heritage conservation in rapidly growing urban areas. As INTACH waits for the state government's response, heritage enthusiasts and local communities hope that timely action will prevent the permanent loss of this architectural treasure that serves as a living connection between Indian and Nepali cultural traditions.
