Rani Pokhari

 

Rani Pokhari was built in 1670 AD by King Pratap Malla, one of the most illustrious monarchs of the Malla dynasty that ruled Nepal for more than 600 years. Pratap Malla had the tank constructed to console his queen who was distraught with grief after their son was trampled to death by an elephant. He had water collected from various holy places and river confluences in Nepal and India like Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Badrinath, Kedarnath and poured into the pond to sanctify it.^[3][4]

The pond is recharged by water flowing in through an underground channel, but there are also seven wells inside the pond.^[1]

King Pratap Malla installed a stone slab at Rani Pokhari with writings in three languages: Sanskrit, Nepali and Nepal Bhasa. It is dated Nepal Sambat 790 (1670 AD) and describes the construction of Rani Pokhari and its religious significance. It also mentions five Brahmins, five Pradhans (Chief-ministers) and five Khas Magars as being witnesses.^[1]

 

A temple dedicated to Matrikeshwor Mahadev, a form of the Hindu deity Shiva, stands at the center of the pond. There is an idol of Harishankari, which is said to be the only one idol of both Saraswoti and Laxmi. It is reached from the street by a causeway. A large stone statue of an elephant bearing the images of Pratap Malla and his two sons Chakravartendra Malla and Mahipatendra Malla is situated on the tank's southern embankment.^[1]

There are four smaller temples situated at the four corners of the pond: Bhairava temples in the northwest and northeast, Mahalaxmi Temple in the southeast and Ganesh Temple in the southwest. The temples on the eastern side now lie within the compounds of Tri Chandra College and a police station which has undermined their cultural importance.^[1][5]

During recent excavations, four dhunge dharas were found, one at each of the four corners of the pond.^[6]

During the construction of the Ratnapark Subway, starting in 1984, Nhera hiti was discovered. Some of the stone spouts are now in the National Museum of Nepal. An unnamed dhunge dhara is known to be buried on the premises of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Then there is Swora hiti or Tin Dhara at Durbar Marg. The fourth dhunge dhara is named Jhanga hiti. It is located in Jamal, on the north-western corner of Rani Pokhari. Of these four dhunge dharas, only Swora hiti is in working order.^[7]

A temple stands at the centre of the lake, which is open to the public only once a year: during the Yamapanchak or Tihar, the Festival of Lights. Traditionally, it opens on the Day of "Bhaitika" when sisters bless brothers for longevity and good health. This temple is also called Yamaleshwar or Bhrateshwar.^[8]

 

Rani Pokhari is fenced with iron bars and opened once a year during Bhai Tika, the fifth and final day of the Tihar, and Chhath festival. The world's largest Chhath festival takes place every year in RaniPokhari. Rani is also dedicated to (Nepalese Maithil) Women who go into the cold water and pray to the Sun God. ^[9]

Among the earliest references to Rani Pokhari is an account by Italian Jesuit Ippolito Desideri who visited Kathmandu in 1721 when Nepal was ruled by the Malla kings. He was travelling from Tibet to India, and has mentioned in his travelogue seeing a large pond outside the main city gate with flights of steps and banks sloping down to the water. The father has also written that there was a tall column at the center resting on a magnificent pedestal.^[10]

The British Indian Army officer William Kirkpatrick, who visited Kathmandu in 1793, wrote about a quadrangular reservoir of water situated near the northeastern part of the city. He also noted the existence of many temples on the sides of Rani Pokhari, some of which were of considerable height and size.^[11]

 

Restoration work on Ranipokhari after the 2015 earthquake began in January 2016 and has been fraught with controversy. The original plans used concrete for the restoration, instead of the traditional brick and clay, and included fountains and a new lakeside café. After a series of local protests it was decided to restore the pond to the way it was in 1670.^[12][13][14] The reconstruction was completed in October 2020.^[15]

Rani Pokhari is surrounded by historical buildings and famous structures. The clock tower Ghanta Ghar is situated across the road on the eastern side of the pond. The original clock tower, which had a more elaborate architecture, was destroyed during the Great earthquake of 1934. The present clock tower was built after the earthquake. It stands on the premises of Tri Chandra College, the first college in the country which was established in 1918 AD.

On the western side of Rani Pokhari stands another historical building, Durbar High School, built in 1854 AD. It is the first school in Nepal providing education along modern lines. In the beginning, Durbar High School admitted only the children of the ruling classes. It was opened to the general public in 1902 AD.

Tundikhel, a parade ground and ceremonial grass field and a Kathmandu landmark, formerly extended from the southern side of Rani Pokhari. A section next to the pond was fenced off and converted into a public park and flower garden in the mid-1960s.

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  Rani Pokhari and clock tower from the west before the 1934 earthquake
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  Statue of elephant and pavilion, circa 1930. The old brickwork can be seen here.
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  Bird's-eye view of Rani Pokhari and nearby areas in the 1950s
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  Former bus stand built in the early 1960s on the northwestern corner

 

The damaged Rani Pokhari by the 2015 earthquake was reconstructed by preserving its style. The reconstruction was completed in 2020. The Pokhari can be seen filled with water and rebuilt colored temple.

The reconstruction following the devastating earthquake of 2015 saw a change in the colour scheme as well as the style of architecture used in the construction of the temple in the middle of the lake. It was in Dome style before the 2015 earthquake while the reconstructed temple of Matrikeshwor Mahadev is in the Stupa style of ancient architecture.

The change was because the Ranipokhari, established in 1725, was a similar temple during the construction period. The temple was rebuilt twice during the Rana period. The dome style of the temple we saw before the earthquake was a form of the same Rana period. The present renovation has restored the temple to its original form. The return of the temple to its original form is of historical significance.^[16]

• Bal Gopaleshwar temple in Rani Pokhari opens today - Republica Online