On April 25th 2015 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal. Many of the Kathmandu Valley's historic monuments, buildings and temples were either completely destroyed or damaged. This page contains a list of temples that were either destroyed or damaged.
This page has been updated regularly. To produce a complete inventory due to the huge humanitarian relief effort and determining what was a damaged temple or collapsed was quite exhausting. The Digital Archeology Foundation spearheaded a project to digitally preserve the remaining temples in 3D due to a lack of historical documentation, maintenance and issues surrounding the protection of these buildings.
Between 2016-2024 there has been reconstruction work on temples that were either completely destroyed or partially. Most of this is in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square. Sadly Kathmandu Durbar Square has become embroiled in a bureaucratic quagmire alongside Kathmandu city itself. However, in 2019 Kathmandu Durbar Square finally started reconstruction in earnest.
Temples & buildings destroyed in Kathmandu City
Many of the temples destroyed or badly damaged in Kathmandu city were located in Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is also called Basantapur durbar square. Durbar Square litrally means a "Place of Palaces." Kathmandu durbar square was originally formed from the palaces and courtyards of the old Malla and Shah kings dating back to the 15th century.
Outside of Kathmandu Durbar Square many temples and buildings survived with only minor damage or cracks. These include Boudhanath and Swayambunath. Let's take a look at Kathmandu Durbar Square's damage first.
Temples & buildings destroyed in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square suffered greatly in the earthquake. There are however several iconic temples and buildings that have survived. These include Kumari House, Taleju temple and Jannath temple.
Kasthamandap
Completely Destroyed. The very building that gave Kathmandu its name has been destroyed. It will have to be completely rebuilt. There was a plaque inside Kasthamandap that dates to 1048 which was enough to make it one of the oldest buildings in Nepal. It is now embroiled in a quagmire of discussions between the local community and authorities in regards to its reconstruction.
Kasthamandap reconstruction was finished in December
2021.
Maju Dega & Narayan Vishnu Temples
Completely Destroyed. In the foreground is the mighty Maju Dega temple that once dominated Durbar square, it was obliterated. In the background is the three-roofed Narayan Vishnu temple which was nearing reconstruction. It too was completely destroyed. The main temple is nearing completion in early 2024, however the white shikkara temple in front has still not been rebuilt.
Trailokya Mohan
Krishna (Chasin Dega)
Old Drums
Kakeshwar Temple
King Malla's Column
Shiva Prabati Temple
Gaddi Baihak
Basantapur Tower
Partially Destroyed. Also known as the Nine-story Palace Basantapur tower was one of the most iconic temples in Kathmandu Durbar Square. It lost the top two floors in the earthquake. It is repairable. In 2018 repairs began. In 2023 the exterior looks to be complete, however the interior is not finished nor open.
Dharahara (Bhimsen Tower)
Temples/buildings that survived the earthquake in Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kumari House, Bimaheshwor Temple, Kabindradpur Sattal, House of the Priest, Kal Bhairab, Kabindra, Mahhendreshwar Temple, Taleju Temple, Vishnu & Indraha Temples and Jagannath Temple are all still standing safe. The inner palace was re-opened in 2017 but remains partially damaged..
A complete list of all temples in Kathmandu city including map locations and alternative places to visit is available in my guidebook to Kathmandu city
Temples & buildings destroyed in Patan City
Patan's temples suffered a lot of damage. Most of it occurred in Patan Durbar Square. Cracks and breaks are showing on many buildings around the square. In 2017 a massive reconstruction effort began. In 2024 many areas are adorned in scaffolding. However, it has hugely improved and does not affect visitors.
To the north there was good news as the Golden Temple remained intact. Likewise the Kumbeshwar Temple Complex has survived though the main temple is leaning slightly.
To the south the Machchhendranath temple remains relatively unscathed. Kumari house to the west is also safe.
Hari Shankar
Completely Destroyed. One of the most outstanding
temples in Patan. Built in 1706 it is dedicated to Shankar Narayan deity
who is half Shiva and half Vishnu. Reconstruction completed in 2023.
Mahaboudha temple
Kumbeshwar Temple Complex
Damaged (repairable). Legend has it that this complex is where Patan or rather “Lalitpur” got its name from. This complex contains several buildings and temples. Many of these buildings survived with minor damage. However the main Kumbeshwar temple tower now stands at an angle and needs repairs before it topples over.
Reconstruction completed in 2022.
Keshab Narayan Chowk
Vishwanath Temple
Damaged (repairable). Dedicated to Vishwanath, a manifestation of Shiva. It was built between 1676-78. There are cracks in the outer stucco and the inner brickwork.
It has been repaired and completed in 2022.
Bhimsen Mandir
Jagan Narayan
Completely Destroyed. The oldest building in the square which had two stone lions guarding it at the front. Dedicated to Vishnu/Narayan it was built in 1566.
It has been rebuilt in 2020.
Chyasin Dewal
Sundari Chowk
Damaged (repairable). There’s a courtyard that still contains fabulous woodwork and a sacred stone. There’s a royal bath complete with basin and a gilded spout.
The rear of this Chowk has been destroyed but the rest remains intact and repairs are underway. Most of the repairs have now been completed.
Degutalle & Taleju Temples
Temples/buildings that survived the earthquake in Patan
The Golden Temple, North Stupa, Kumari House, Krishna Mandir, Shikarra Temple, Chyasin Dewal, Bishwakaram Temple, I Baha Bahi Monastery, Machchhendranath Temple and Uku Bahal all survived.
The majority of Patans temples have survived though nearly all in Durbar Square took some damage. A complete list of all the temples in Patan including map locations is available in my guidebook to Patan city
Temples & buildings destroyed in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur's suburbs took more damage than any of its three main squares. The iconic Nyatapola temple and most of Taumadhi square remains standing. Dattatreya Temple in Dattatreya Square is also relatively unscathed.
However, Bhaktapur Durbar Square did lose some icon temples and buildings which have since been rebuilt largely due to donations, entrance ticket fees, and the local people.
Vatsala Durga Temple
Completely Destroyed. built in 1672 by King Jagat Prakash Malla this beautiful stone building was a favorite for many people to sit out on and watch the sunset in Bhaktapur durbar square. It is no more than rubble now. There is a unique initiative whereby you can donate funds to the rebuilding of the Vatsala Durga temple (the donations are completely transparent).
Reconstruction was completed in 2021.
Fasidega temple
National Art Museum
Mild Damage (repairable). Once known as Malati Chowk the western end of the royal palace now houses the National Art Gallery. Inside there was some damage to items. However the exterior has only minor damage. This damage was repaired in 2017.
Taleju temple
Rameshwar Temple
Mild Damage (repairable). A Red-bricked temple in Gum Baja style dedicated to Shiva. It is an open shrine surrounded by four pillars in Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Currently on the list for being repaired next.
Repairs were completed in January 2019.
Til Mahdav Narayan Temple
Temples and buildings that survived the earthquake in Bhaktapur
The majority of Bhaktapur's temples have survived. A complete list of pre-earthquake temples including map locations is available in my guidebook to Bhaktapur
Other Temples and buildings that survived the earthquake in the Kathmandu Valley
The majority of the Kathmandu Valley's temples have survived. Though the majority have sustained some form of minor damage. As a tourist one would not notice most of this damage
Swayambunath (Monkey) temple survived with only a few cracks though Anantapur (one of the large white chedis) was destroyed it is quite repairable. It was repaired in 2019.
In Boudhanath damage is minimal. The Boudha Stupa itself has only one large crack at its base which is very repairable and some metal work got damaged.
Throughout 2016 the stupa was completely renovated and repaired. 
In Pashupatinath damage was again minimal. Jayabageshwari temple has some damage. However Pashupatinath and the ghats are undamaged.
You can read more about the temples of Kathmandu Valley in my exclusive guidebook to the Kathmandu Valley. Or for a complete look at all temples, monuments and buildings my guidebook to Nepal.
Restoration of the Kathmandu Valley Temples
Soon after the 2015 earthquake the Nepali Prime Minister announced that all the ruined temples would be restored. That's a noble but ambitious statement. The truth of the matter is many of Nepal's historic buildings have needed restoration for many years, let alone structural reinforcement. The responsibility lies with the Department of Archeology. The problem has always been a lack of funding and sharing of areas with local municipalities .
Though tourists saw a near year on year increase in entry fees few saw any improvements. Allegations of corruption and slow moving red tape have always gone hand in hand.
Over the past few decades many temples have been restored using private donations and funds. Examples include Swayambhunath and Chyasalin Mandap.
Here you can read more about Nepal's Department of Archeology's plans and how the Digital Archeology Foundation is working to preserve the remaining temples throughout Nepal.
This page is an ongoing project. If you'd like to help please contact me with details of destroyed temples or buildings. All these buildings are included in the book Kathmandu Valley Heritage Walks.