Bhaju Pukhu is a historic pond located in the fringe area of the ancient Newar town of Bhaktapur. Originally constructed in the 12th century, it was significantly expanded or reconstructed in the late 17th century by Bhagiram Pradhananga (locally known as Bhaju Kasaju), a powerful commander in King Jitamitra Malla’s army. The pond held immense architectural and religious significance, featuring a Shikhara temple at its center, but it fell into ruin after being severely damaged by the 1681 AD earthquake. For centuries, it remained largely neglected and un-reconstructed, serving as a reminder of the lost traditional water systems that once recharged the city's aquifers and fed its stone spouts (hitis).
The recent revitalization project, led by the Bhaktapur Municipality, focused on restoring the pond using a community-driven approach and traditional construction methods. To maintain historical authenticity, local artisans used indigenous materials such as mud, brick, lime, surkhi, wood, and stone. Beyond its physical restoration, the project aimed to revive the cultural and religious activities associated with the site, providing the local community with a sense of pride and a functional water body for irrigation and groundwater recharge. This effort is part of a broader movement in Bhaktapur to preserve its remaining ponds, 12 of which have already been lost to urbanization.
भाजुपुखू भक्तपुरको प्राचीन नेवार बस्तीको बाहिरी भागमा अवस्थित एक ऐतिहासिक पोखरी हो। यसको इतिहास १२ औं शताब्दीदेखि जोडिएको भए तापनि सत्रौं शताब्दीको उत्तरार्द्धमा राजा जितामित्र मल्लका शक्तिशाली कमाण्डर भगिराम प्रधानङ्ग (जसलाई स्थानीय रूपमा भाजु कासाजु भनिन्थ्यो) ले यसको निर्माण गराएका थिए। यस पोखरीको बीचमा एउटा आकर्षक शिखर शैलीको मन्दिर थियो। तर, वि.सं. १७३८ (सन् १६८१) को विनाशकारी भूकम्पले यसलाई ठूलो क्षति पुऱ्यायो, जसका कारण यो लामो समयसम्म उपेक्षित र जीर्ण अवस्थामा रह्यो।
भक्तपुर नगरपालिकाको नेतृत्वमा यस पोखरीको पुनरुत्थान कार्य हालै सम्पन्न भएको छ। यस परियोजनामा स्थानीय समुदायको प्रत्यक्ष सहभागिता र परम्परागत प्रविधिको प्रयोगलाई प्राथमिकता दिइएको थियो। पोखरीको पुनर्निर्माणमा आधुनिक सामग्रीको सट्टा माटो, इँटा, चुन, सुर्की, काठ र ढुङ्गा जस्ता स्थानीय एवं परम्परागत सामग्रीहरू प्रयोग गरिएका छन्। यस कार्यले पोखरीको ऐतिहासिक र सांस्कृतिक स्वरूपलाई मात्र फर्काएको छैन, बल्कि भूमिगत जलस्तर बढाउन र स्थानीयहरूमा आफ्नो सम्पदाप्रति गर्वको अनुभूति गराउन समेत महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका खेलेको छ।
