KATHMANDU: A monastery located in Sange Chhoyling Gumba, Balkhu, Kathmandu, along with the Pathibhara Devi temple situated within the same squatter settlement, was demolished using a bulldozer on the day of Buddha Jayanti.

The Sange Chhoyling Gumba, which had been officially registered on October 30, 2021, was torn down on Friday, May 1, coinciding with Buddha Jayanti (the full moon day of Baisakh). Local residents stated that they had requested authorities not to carry out the demolition at least on this significant religious day.

Both the monastery and the temple were removed as part of an operation targeting structures built through encroachment on public land. Before the demolition, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City ensured that Buddha statues and other important items were safely removed from the site. Photo: Nepal Photo Library