After being completely destroyed in the 2015 earthquake, the newly reconstructed historic Dharahara has generated Rs 1.47 million in revenue within its first week of reopening. From November 24, when it reopened with an entry fee, through to Sunday, December 1, more than Rs 1.4 million was collected.
Prakash Aryal, the Acting Project Director for Dharahara operations, reported that approximately 1,200 people visit Dharahara daily, with the site being closed only on Wednesdays. “Since the reopening on November 24, a total of 8,316 visitors have come, excluding children under 12,” Aryal stated. “Visitors are allowed entry between 10:30 am and 3 pm, and even in this short period, a significant number of people have come. Due to time constraints, we’ve not been able to accommodate everyone.”
Aryal added that if extended hours were introduced, with Dharahara open from morning to evening, an estimated 1,500 people could visit daily. The entry fee is set at Rs 200 per person.
Discounts are offered for students, senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities, who can visit at half price. Tourists from SAARC countries pay Rs 500, while those from non-SAARC countries are charged Rs 1,000.
Dharahara has been operational with an entry fee since November 24, following the “Special Structure Operation and Management Development Committee (Formation) Order, 2024.” Before that, the Cabinet approved the entry fee during a meeting on November 21, based on a proposal from the Ministry of Urban Development.
The authorities have decided that Dharahara will remain open on Saturdays and closed on Wednesdays. The government had previously opened the tower to the public on September 19, 2024, in celebration of Constitution Day, with no entry fee at that time.
Additionally, for displaying national advertisements on the Dharahara tower, the fee is set at Rs 5,000 per hour. Commercial video shoots are charged at Rs 5,000 per hour, while photography costs Rs 1,000 per hour.
