Historic Dharahara Tower Collapses in Kathmandu After Earthquake, 180 Killed

Posted in: 27th Apr, 2015 Post Category: Blog of Nepal

Nepal’s 19th-century old nine-storey Dharhara tower in the heart of the capital today became a burial ground for hundreds of visitors who had come to see the panoramic views of the Kathmandu valley from the top of the minaret.The 50.5-metre-high historic tower was reduced to just its base after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale struck Nepal on 25th April 2015 flattening the minaret and trapping hundreds of visitors under its debris. At least 180 bodies have been retrieved from the rubble so far, police said, adding that several people were still trapped under the debris.

Rescue workers were seen retrieving bodies from the debris and the people on the spot desperately tried to dig through piles of bricks and dust with their bare hands.The tower – which was white, topped with a bronze minaret and contained a spiral staircase of over 200 steps – was a major tourist attraction in the heart of the capital. It was built in 1832 by then Prime Minister of Nepal Bhimsen Thapa. The tower was a popular attraction, with tourists charged a small fee to climb the steps to the viewing deck. The architecture of the tower was designed in Mughal and European style. A small statue of Lord Shiva was placed on the top of the tower.
We want to pay our respect to this couple who where found at the site where Dharahara Tower had collapsed. Manisha Rijal (wife), aged 22 from Jhapa, Eastern Nepal married Nishant Khadka (husband) from Sindhuli around 3 months ago.They had recently moved to Kathmandu and had gone to tour the Dharahara tower, an architectural landmark in Kathmandu, Nepal. They were found dead embracing each-other in the ruins of the Dharahara Tower. We would like to give our condolences and respect to the family of Manisha and Nishant, weare praying for the coupl’s souls and for their family too. Hopefully people who read this story will pray for them too. May their souls rest in peace forever, we hope they are together forever in heaven too.