Gallery Baithak: Historic Singha Durbar building under restoration (photos)
The devastating 2072 BS earthquake severely damaged the 117-year-old building, leaving it in a dilapidated state.
KATHMANDU: The ‘Gallery Baithak’ building within the Singha Durbar complex is a historic structure that has witnessed Nepal’s political history up close.
Built in 1908 BS by then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana as a private theater, the building has seen Nepal’s political transitions from the Rana regime to democracy, the Panchayat system, multi-party rule, and the republic.
The devastating 2072 BS earthquake severely damaged the 117-year-old building, leaving it in a dilapidated state.
Currently, the Special Building Construction Project Implementation Office under the Ministry of Urban Development has begun its restoration.
The restoration work is being carried out by Prera Nirman Sewa Pvt. Ltd. at a cost of approximately NPR 39 crore, with a target completion date of Mangsir 2082 BS.
Gallery Baithak has hosted several key political events. In 2004 BS, then Rana Prime Minister Padma Shamsher announced Nepal’s first constitution from this building.
In 2016 BS, it hosted the first meeting of the elected House of Representatives. During the Panchayat era, the National Panchayat sessions were held here, followed by multi-party parliamentary sessions after 2046 BS.
The historic reinstated parliament meeting of 2063 BS also took place in this building.
After the 2064 BS Constituent Assembly elections, federal parliament sessions moved to the International Convention Center in Baneshwor, leaving the building unused.
The government now plans to use it for state banquets or seminar halls, while the Federal Parliament Secretariat envisions transforming it into a ‘Parliamentary Museum.’
With its rich political legacy, the Gallery Baithak is now awaiting a new role in Nepal’s contemporary governance landscape.
Photos:
-Saroj Basnet
