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Dharahara also called Bhimsen Tower, is a nine story (50.2m) tall tower at the center of Kathmandu. It was built in 1832 A.D. by the Prime Minister of the time, Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal. Thapa built the tower under the orders of Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari. The tower has a spiral staircase inside containing 113 steps or none because there is an elevator. The 8th floor holds a circular balcony for observers that provides a panoramic view of the whole Kathmandu valley. The tower has a 5.2m bronze mast on the roof. The tower has been open for the general public since 2005 for a small fee.
Dharahara is actually the second such tower made by Bhimsen Thapa. The original Bhimsen Tower was built in 1824 and was 11 stories high, 2 stories taller than Dharahara. Dharahara was built for queen Lalit Tripura Sundari, who was the niece of Bhimsen Thapa. She wanted a tower of her own next to Bhimshen's Dharahara. During the earthquake of 1834, both the towers survived, but Bhimsen's tower suffered severe damage. 110 years later, on January 15, 1934, another earthquake caused Bhimsen's tower to be completely destroyed.Only 2 of the 11 stories on the second tower remained. The prime minister of the time, Juddha Shumsher, renovated Dharahara to its previous form. While the original Bhimsen Tower was obliterated, queen Lalit Tripura Sundari's tower got its name, 'Bhimsen Stambha'. The purpose for the construction of the Dharahara was military. It was used as a watchtower. In case some incidents of national importance occurred, bugles used to be blown from the top floor of the tower. This served to herald the message to the army men to assemble on urgent reason. The tradition of bugle trumpeting is still in practice. The tower is also religiously linked because there is a Shivalinga (the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) on top floor and a golden spire crowns it. Nine facts about Nine - Story Bhimsen Tour Bhimsen Tour was build in 1825 AD in the name of Shah Queen Lalit Tripura Sundari during Bhimsen Thapa's (The first Prime Minister of Nepal) regime. Local name of Bhimsen Tour is "DHARAHARA" In the ancient time, the main purpose of building Bhimsen Tour was to gather people at Tundikhel for the announcement of important events, festivals as well as government's message to the citizens of Kathmandu City by blowing the trumpet. Original structure had been destroyed by Eathquake in 1934 AD Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher had rebuilt it in 1936 AD in the original sructure. After the reconstruction, the height of the tower is found lower than the original one. The height of Dharahara is 61.88 meters (203 feet). Numbers of ladder steps inside Dharahara is 213. There is a statue of Shiva Lingam on the top floor of The Bhimsen Tower. The architecture of Dharahara is designed in Mughal and European style. The main materials used in the building construction is Vajra - Surki (Brick dust), Chuna (Lime), Mas (Black lentil) and Chaku (Caramel).
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