It was a famous view tower but did you know Dharahara was not built as a view tower but actually, it was built as a military watchtower. It made it easier to foresee any incoming attacks. The military would keep a close watch on every corner of the Kathmandu Valley, and if any suspicious activity was detected, they would detonate explosions from the top floor as a warning and to gather the soldiers.
But everything changed when the earthquake of 2072 B.S. hit Nepal and the great Dharahara collapsed, leaving only its base standing. It is believed that the tower broke into two parts before collapsing to the ground, resulting in the deaths of many who had been there to enjoy the panoramic view. Numerous others were injured but managed to survive the tragedy. People thought Dharahara would only be a memory and they will never see it in its former glory again but then a few years later, everybody stood with pride as they got to know that the Dharahara was being remade.
The new Dharahara has been reconstructed in the same architectural style as the original, but with a larger diameter. It stands 72 meters high (236 feet) with 22 storeys and is equipped with modern enhancements. It features a garden, a museum, and a fountain, along with two lifts for greater accessibility. The tower houses a mini-exhibition theatre on the 18th floor, a mint museum, a 'Green Park,' a musical fountain, a vehicle parking area, a souvenir shop, and a food court, among other attractions.
Dharahara is not just a building to many Nepali people, it is a testament that no matter how many times you are broken down, you rise again and in greater form than before!
Photo Credit-Honey Guide,What The Nepal,myRepublica,The Himalayan Times.
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