KVPT’s Patan Darbar Earthquake Response Campaign - Work to Date - September 2016

an earthquake. It is only these four corners and columns
that have been most damaged but their repair is simpler
since they do not support the upper structure (figs. 15
and 23).
It is thus recommended that the inner shrine be filled
and thereby supported by sand bags so as to reduce the
load from the other supporting structures. The corner
columns can then be easily removed, repaired, and reinstalled
in place.
A major problem is the colonnade, where several columns
have been dislodged and are out of plumb (fig.
12). It is recommended that the columns be realigned
and to prevent furhter damage a pipe railing, like the
one below (fig. 9), is installed all around the external
colonnade.
The same is recommended for the corner stones (11)
(fig. 22) below the columns (1). The window frames
would be similarly removed, repaired, and installed in
place and the window grill (jaali) re-installed. All the
joints would later be filled and finished in matching and
compatible mortar.
It is recommended that before starting the work, the
temple is cleaned of the bird droppings and the archaeological
material properly stacked. It is also recommended
that tell tales are attached to major cracks to monitor
them.
It is also important to brace the unstable pieces of stone
to prevent damage and accidents. It would be advisable
to do a petrography test and mortar analysis of the existing
samples of stones and mortar to get a better and
more compatible understanding (figs. 26–28).
12
Krsna Degah, Patan: Out of plumb
columns
13
Krsna Degah, Patan: Damaged
column shaft on second floor level
14
External view of second floor
(Shiva level)
347