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

Top
Elements of the dismantled dome
and temples of the gajura sheltered
in the Mul Cok courtyard below,
awaiting restoration.
Above
The copper elements of the pinnacle
after reassembly. This close
observation of the pinnacle revealed
poor quality earlier repairs which
will now be corrected as part of the
restoration of the pinnacle.
Above right
Careful dismantling underway on
site at the damaged North Taleju
pinnacle, following the earthquake.
396
The original struts supporting the topmost roof were
also reinstalled, together with the timber roof framing.
The assembly of the roof, including a new king post to
hold the pinnacle, was complete by May 2016.
During the cleaning and reassembling of the pinnacle
(gajura), an inscription dating to 1753 was found on thc
copper at the pinnacle base. Also discovered were copper
replacement pieces from the 1950's, under King Mahendra,
that followed the existing shapes of the gajura but
had simplified, incorrect details. The restoration presents
an opportunity to improve on these earlier repairs.
As of late August 2016, the coppersmiths, who were
restoring the Yoganarendra pillar sculpture, expected
to return to the gajura in the fall, replicating existing
original details to replace missing or incorrect pieces,
and complete the reinstallation of the gajura (and with
it the entire North Taleju post-earthquake project) by
November of 2016.
During post-earthquake observations conducted by
structural engineer Evan Speer, it was noted that some
details of pre-2015 strengthening measures should be
adapted to be more successful and to fully implement
their original design intent. These alterations are being
addressed as construction continues.