Dharahara Now Listed as ‘Seto Tower’ on Google Maps | Balen Shah’s Influence?

B.S. 2082-04-04 05:15 PM

Kathmandu — Dharahara, a popular destination for both national and international visitors to enjoy the beauty of Nepal’s capital city, has lost its name on Google Maps just a few hours ago and is now listed as Seto Tower.

Dharahara (धरहरा) was a nine-story building in Nepal, standing at 61.88 meters (203 feet) tall. It was located in the center of Sundhara, Kathmandu, and was originally built by Bhimsen Thapa in 1832. The tower was destroyed during the devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015.

Why Is Dharahara Being Called Seto Tower?

Balen Shah, also known as Mayor, during his election campaign in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, claimed that Dharahara should be called “Seto Tower” with 24 floors. According to him, the original Dharahara, made from solid rock and other natural materials, was distorted in the earthquake. Foreign tourists were shocked by its design, often taking pictures and writing about it. However, the newly constructed tower is made of concrete, similar to towers found in cities across Europe and America.

In 2022 A.D., Balendra Shah was elected as the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Since then, he has accomplished a lot of good work. Not only Nepali citizens but also people from foreign countries have warmly shared positive news about Balen. He was even featured in The New York Times.

Following his efforts and meaningful explanations, many Nepali citizens have started referring to Dharahara as the “Seto Tower.”