Iron Railings to be Removed from Pashupatinath

Authorities in Nepal are preparing to remove iron railings installed inside the Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after experts warned they were harming the sanctity and visual integrity of the shrine.

The railings were originally placed to manage long queues of devotees, but the Pashupati Area Development Trust now says they will be replaced with wood and rope, materials more consistent with the temple’s historic character.

Acting Member Secretary Subhash Chandra Joshi confirmed the change, following a directive from the Department of Archaeology.

Senior official Sandeep Khanal says the department has also asked for the removal of an iron overhead bridge, noting that metal structures inside the heritage zone violate conservation standards.