Kathmandu: The iconic Dharahara tower reopened to the public for the first time in nine years, attracting a huge crowd eager to climb the historic structure. Reconstructed after its destruction in the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, the tower saw an overwhelming response with tickets booked until Sunday, according to Koshnath Adhikari, Chief of the Central Project Implementation Unit under the Urban Development and Building Construction Department.

The government temporarily opened Dharahara to mark Constitution Day, allowing 600 people to climb the tower for free each day. However, official records show that 1,200 people ascended the tower on the first day, creating challenges in managing the large crowd.

Dharahara was initially rebuilt in 1882 BS under the orders of Maharani Lalit Tripurasundari, and it was reconstructed again after an earthquake in the 1930s. The latest reconstruction began on Aswin 14, 2075 BS, and the tower was inaugurated by Prime Minister Oli on Baishakh 11, 2078 BS.

To manage public interest, the Central Project Implementation Unit has launched a website, dharahara.com.gov.np, for booking tickets to climb the tower.