KATHMANDU, AUGUST 24

Shree Kumari Chhen and New Kumari Niwas in Patan, Lalitpur, have been restored with a post-earthquake reconstruction grant of around Rs 50 million from the Government of India.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, Member of Parliament Jagdish Kharel and Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan jointly inaugurated the restored heritage sites on Monday.

The structures were rebuilt through the Indian government’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant and implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building and Housing) under the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) provided design and project management consultancy services.

Addressing the inauguration, Kharel highlighted the need to protect living heritage sites and acknowledged the Indian government’s support for the restoration project.

Mayor Maharjan expressed appreciation for India’s contribution to the reconstruction and restoration of cultural heritage sites in Lalitpur and other parts of Nepal, while also thanking the local community for its support.

Ambassador Srivastava highlighted the longstanding cultural ties between Nepal and India and said restored historic monuments represented shared heritage and friendship between the two countries.

The Government of India has supported the conservation of 30 cultural heritage sites across eight districts through its post-earthquake reconstruction assistance. It has also supported the reconstruction of 50,000 private houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot, 85 educational institutions across eight districts and 133 health facilities across 11 districts, according to the Indian Embassy.