In Pictures: Scorched landmarks, writing on the wall, a long walk for Nepal to rise from the ashes

Kathmandu's skyline is pocketmarked with damaged buildings, many which were landmarks. The losses are not just physical—they are a damage on the country's psyche as well.

Charred remains of cars, motorcyles and office furniture inside the Supreme Court complex in Kathmandu | ThePrint | Manisha Mondal

Kathmandu: The scars of the violence that folowed the protests in Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal are now coming out to the outside world. Whether it is the seats of power—Singha Durbar, Parliament complex, the prime minister’s office and the Supreme Court—as well as government and private properties lie vandalised and torched in the heart of Kathmandu.

In the violent protests that erupted across the country, 72 people were killed and many others left injured. Not only government property, private hotels were also vandalised and torched. Some of the high-profile targets were Hilton Kathmandu, Hyatt Regency, and Varnabas Museum Hotel.

Opened last year, Hilton Kathmandu had become a landmark in the neighbourhood with its shimmering facade, a statement of Nepal’s intent to present itself as an attractive destination for travellers from across the world.

But, what once stood as a gleaming pride now stands forlorn with its facade stained by soot and window panes shattered after the five-star hotel was targeted in the protests that followed after the Gen Z protests.

According to the Hotel Association Nepal, more than two dozens of hotels have been damaged, vandalised, or torched. “According to the preliminary information gathered, the vandalism, arson and looting of hotels operating in Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Jhapa, Morang, Biratnagar, Dhangadhi, Mahottari, Dang, Tulsipur and other areas have caused a financial loss of over Rs 25 billion,” a local media report said.

ThePrint’s Manisha Mondal brings visuals of the trail of damage in Nepal’s capital.

The Nepal Parliament building stands defaced and damaged after the protests spiralled into violence in Kathmandu | ThePrint | Manisha Mondal

Messages written on the walls of the Nepal Parliament | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Charred remains show the extent of damage suffered by the Nepal Parliament | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

The mangled remains of a motorcycle inside the Nepal Parliament in Kathmandu | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

The charred front facade of Nepal Bar Association’s head office | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Even the Supreme Court was not spared in Kathmandu | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

A makeshift tent inside the Supreme Court complex in Kathmandu. The court has resumed work from the temporary tents | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Charred vehicles right outside the Kathmandu Valley Police Office | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Army soldiers keep a watch on the happenings at an area in Kathmandu | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Army soldiers out on patrol in a neighbourhood in Kathmandu | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Once standing tall in the heart of the capital, Hilton Kathmandu now lies in ruins after facing the ire of protesters | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Workers clean debris lying on the road outside Hilton Kathmandu | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

(Edited by Tony Rai)