India and Nepal Celebrate Cultural Heritage with Patan Restoration Project
India and Nepal jointly inaugurated the restored Gusthal Mahavihar and Agam of Prathamshree Mahavihar in Guita Tole, Patan, on Tuesday, marking another milestone in post-earthquake heritage restoration. The project was completed under India’s post-earthquake reconstruction assistance programme with a grant of approximately NPR 120 million.
The inauguration was jointly led by Member of Parliament Jagdish Kharel, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava. Officials from Nepal’s Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), representatives of the local community, and members of the Embassy of India also attended the ceremony.
Implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building and Housing) under the DUDBC, the restoration received design and project management support from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Speaking at the event, MP Kharel highlighted the importance of preserving Nepal’s living cultural heritage, while Mayor Maharjan thanked India and the local community for their continued commitment to safeguarding historic sites.
Ambassador Srivastava said the restored monument reflects the enduring cultural ties and longstanding friendship between Nepal and India. According to the Indian Embassy, India has supported the conservation of 30 cultural heritage sites across eight districts, along with the reconstruction of thousands of homes, schools, and health facilities under its post-earthquake assistance programme. The project further strengthens the development partnership between the two neighbouring countries while contributing to Nepal’s cultural preservation and reconstruction efforts.
