Save Maya Devi Temple

Some Buddhists belonging to the Trust are afraid that if they do not take advantage of this decision to reconstruct the Maya Devi Temple, it will remain in its present condition for another 10 years. Another group with some knowledge of archaeology, architecture and history think otherwise.

By Swoyambhu Dhar Tuladhar

Maya Devi Temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Nepal standing on the Eastern side of the famous Asokan Pillar in Lumbini. It has been the center of the world’s attention and pride of Nepal since it was discovered in 1898 and has become one of the prominent sites in helping to boost the flow of tourists to Nepal. It has been included in the World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Religious groups all over the world have been paying respect to the birthplace of Buddha by building numerous monasteries in Lumbini. Over the last hundred years many excavations, renovations and preservations have been carried out.

One of the most important and longest excavations was carried out jointly by the Japan Buddhist Foundation, the Lumbini Development Trust (LTD) and the Department of Archaeology of HMG in December 1992 and completed in June 1996. It took five years to dismantle the most revered monument of Nepal brick by brick, from the very top down to the very bottom of the foundation structure including the tree representing the prominent landscape of the birthplace of Buddha. All this was done in the name of "Archaeological Survey" to learn, firstly the state of erosion caused by a tree root and secondly to obtain basic knowledge as to the configural changes of the Maya Devi Temple through the ages. Then another five years were spent to discuss, consult and to determine what to do with the temple.

Today after five years of dismantling work and five years of discussion, without even producing a final report of the excavation, LDT has decided to construct a 6000 sq. ft. heavy platform over the precious archaeological ruins of the Maya Devi Temple in just THREE MONTHS’ time. Is that a joke!!! What is the sudden rush? The final Excavation Report has not been published, the data, drawings and photographs of the excavation have not been studied and yet they have decided to go ahead with the construction of a huge structure over the most valuable ruins in Nepal.

Is it appropriate to fiddle with our national monument in that manner?

Various opinions are being voiced about this sudden generosity of LDT to build the Temple in the end and the sudden unwarranted hectic decision. On one hand, there is an expectation that something at least will be done in the end for the May Devi Temple.

On the other, there is a strong suspicion that somebody is after something. Some Buddhists belonging to the Trust are afraid that if they do not take advantage of this decision to reconstruct the Maya Devi Temple, it will remain in its present condition for another 10 years. Another group with some knowledge of archaeology, architecture and history think otherwise.

They strongly feel the need to study the drawings of the existing ruins and the extent of archaeological ruins at the perimeter of the Temple, make a feasibility study of the method of construction, solve architectural design in tune with the structural remains in the surrounding area specially the famous Asokan Pillar, have over all planning around the proposed structure be considered regarding the approach for the worshippers and the tourists and in the end maintain the chastity of the archaeological ruins.

We all know the shortfalls of the promises made by our Government. When they especially make decisions and can’t deliver, we have to be suspicious.

We have seen the fate of Pasupatinath, one of the holiest shrines in Nepal and other religious centers that are looked after by the Government and the Guthi Sansthan.

If we want to protect the authenticity of the Maya Devi Temple and its ruins, I think we have to carefully consider the following points, prior to any move being made for rebuilding of the Temple:

- First of all, the newly submitted design does not conform to the guidelines provided by the UNESCO. The proposed design has to be reversible and non-intrusive but the platform in the design submitted is a very heavy permanent structure.

The 6000 sq. ft. structure platform that can accommodate 1000 persons is not a light structure. Considering the dead load, live load, seismic reinforcement and the wind pressure it is going to be a very heavy structure. Is it wise to build such a heavy structure on top of one of the most valuable ruins in the world?

- The 6000 square feet platform is supported by 18 steel columns with about 200 wooden piles each 30 feet long. If three piles are driven in one day it will take more than two months just to complete the piling work. This raises the question - realistically speaking, is three months’ time enough to complete the construction ?

- Is there any guarantee that the two rows of the piles two feet apart and the foundation for the fifteen feet high wall in the periphery of the temple will not affect and damage the existing archaeological ruins. Nothing should be done to harm or damage the ancient structural remains. If it does it is going to be a great loss to our nation.

- Earlier the crane could not be used to transplant the old tree for fear of damaging the ground around the Maya Devi Temple, which may contain old structures beneath ground. Now is it all right to drive piles, dig foundation and bring in heavy equipments in the same area?

- If they can cut the 90 year old tree, which had sentimental attachment and the support of millions of Buddhists why can’t they make some changes to the Rana Style structure built seventy years earlier.

Is it necessary to repeat it. Why do they have to pull down the original ugly Rana style temple in the first place if it has to be rebuilt again?

- It is a great treasure that the 2500 -year old foundation structure has been discovered. The structural remains establish the existence of a stupa, not a building structure.

The original Maya Devi Temple started only after seventh century AD.

The brick pedestal below the marking stone has not been explored which could be a brick chamber containing old antiquities.

The significance of the fifteen chambers has not been studied. Long conglomerate stone placed above the brick structure between the inside and outside brick wall on the northern side is of great
interest.

The wall supporting the conglomerate is not parallel to the adjacent wall and is anterior to the outside and inside wall.

There are many hidden stories inside the structural remains of the First Phase, which have not been thoroughly explored. No attempt has been made to explore the original establishment of the structure or correlate the structural remains with the stratigraphic data relating to the development of the temple.

Therefore, in order to address all these concerns, we cannot but conclude that it is imperative to complete and to study the Final Report on the Archaeological Survey conducted between December 1992 and June 1996 prior to the commencement of the construction of the new
Temple.

As for the hectic three-month design and construction period there is little to say for we have seen the result and quality of work carried out in the nation's capital for the last SAARC meeting.

I really appreciate the LDT’s decision to assign the Engineering Institute for the design of the proposed Maya Devi Temple. The Engineering Institute has not properly used their talented human resources to design one of the most precious sites in the world.

The design clearly lacks vision, Buddhist Architectural style and elements and the in-depth knowledge of the site based on extensive research.

This reconstruction of the Maya Devi Temple affords us a marvellous opportunity to create a magnificent Buddhist style architecture to reflect the glorious birthplace of Buddha, the first proponent of non-violence, compassion and human rights - a historical site revered by the entire world.

Instead of repeating the hackneyed Rana Style Architecture, already torn down, why can’t we, the professional architects of Nepal put our heads together and create a sublime piece of art and architecture in Nepal?

Uniqueness of all great Buddhist Monuments such as Sanchi and Sarnath in India, Boribudur in Indonesia, Bayon Temple in Cambodia and the ruins of Buddhist monuments in Taxila, Pakistan. is that they were built to spread the Vision of Buddha Why can’t we take the same approach to the spot where Buddha was born and create a unique piece of architecture?

HEADLINE | SECOND-PAGE