100 days after the 25 April earthquake, the ancient city of Patan has pulled itself together
100 days after the earthquake that destroyed much of its historic heart, the ancient city of Patan has pulled itself together. Motorcyclists ride under poles propping up houses and past debris of fallen temples. These relics of the quake have become a part of everyday life.
The cobblestone streets glisten with rain, as children feed pigeons. Devotees wait patiently in line for their turn to pray at the Kumbeswor Temple, right next to collapsed buildings. At the Darbar Square, a woman throws grains of rice at the Hari Narayan shrine where the god is intact under a red tent, even though the temple collapsed over it on 25 April. Passersby touch their heads with fore-fingers and utter prayers as they pass Krishna Mandir, itself supported by inclined beams.
Shoppers under colourful umbrellas visit vendors selling fruits, vegetables or buffalo meat. The dogs are all well-behaved and take shelter from the rain by curling up under temples. Patan has gone back to its relaxed, easy-going pace.
A five month old baby at a rice-feeding ceremony at Kumbeshwor Temple in Patan on Saturday morning.
Dogs sleep in Krishna Mandir after a night of rain.
Women waiting for customers to buy marigold garlands and incense near the Golden Temple in Kwalakhu.
Devotees exiting from Hiranya Varna Mahavihar after finishing their daily prayers.
Street dogs take shelter during monsoon rain in Kwalkhu.
A boy helps his mother to burn incense in Kumbeshwor Temple.
An intergenerational chess game in Baglamukhi.
Balloon seller poses for the camera at Baglamukhi.
Motorcyclist negotiates beams holding up damaged buildings in Bhelachhen.
A man prays at the Swotha Narayan Shrine in front of piles of timber and bricks salvaged from the destroyed temple.
A vegetable vendor outside the Kumbeswor Temple.
Read also:
Monumental loss, Stéphane Huët
Epicentre of reconstruction, Tsering Dolker Gurung