Nepal Cultural Projects

"Appreciating and Conserving Nepal's Cultural Heritage"

Vision For The Project

The age-old, close and friendly relations between India and Nepal and its shared civilizational and cultural heritage forms the basis for a unique collaboration for the post –earthquake conservation and rehabilitation of 28 cultural heritage sites spread across Nepal which encompasses different typologies like the tiered temple, Buddhist monasteries, traditional houses, Hindu Mathas, Dharamshala, Gumbas and public buildings.

This unique collaboration between the two countries is a shared pursuit to work together in an area of mutual interest particularly in the field of conservation of cultural heritage sites affected by the Earthquake and work towards restoration and rejuvenation of lost or damaged cultural heritage of Nepal.

PARTNERS

Collaborating for the Conservation of tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage of Nepal

India and Nepal share a unique relationship of friendship and cooperation since 1947 as close neighbours. Government of India’s assistance programme in Nepal is guided by the vision that economic deliverables, particularly in the areas of education, health and infrastructure, must reach the people in a smooth, quick and unencumbered manner. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu is working with the Government of Nepal for the development of Nepal including post-earthquake reconstruction projects in cultural heritage, education, housing and health sectors as part of our commitment of USD 1 billion including USD 250 million grant pledged during International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction held in June 2015.

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) was established with the main objective of rapid reconstruction of the physical damages caused by the massive earthquakes and their aftershocks. It was established on 25 December 2015 according to the Article 3 of the Act Related to the Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015. For the post-earthquake reconstruction of the cultural heritage sites spread across eight districts of Nepal, the Government of India has committed USD 50 million grant assistance. The NRA is the nodal agency on behalf of the Government of Nepal for this project. The CLPIU (Building) under the authority of the NRA is the implementing agency and is coordinating the various projects.

Founded in 1984 with the vision to spearhead heritage awareness and conservation in India. Today INTACH is recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations, with over 190 chapters across India. In the past 37 years INTACH has pioneered the conservation and preservation of not just their natural and built heritage but intangible heritage as well. The Architectural Heritage Division (AHD) is dedicated to the promotion and conservation of India’s vast cultural heritage. It has set standards for conservation work, documenting heritage and implementing conservation projects. INTACH headquartered in New Delhi, has set up the Project Office in Kathmandu with a core technical team comprising of Conservation Architects, Architects & Engineers.

Project Background

INTACH is providing technical expertise for the conservation of 12 cultural heritage sites project spread across the Kathmandu valley encompassing varied typologies of buildings. This includes preparation of DPR according to their Post-Earthquake condition assessment, acknowledging its unique architectural heritage features, addressing future safety, provide seismic strengthening and supervision and monitoring of the project implementation.

1.Seto Machhindranath Temple, Kathmandu

2.Nepal Bhasa Parishad, Kathmandu

3.Gopi Chandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur

4.Napichandra Mahavihar, Lalitpur

5.Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas, Lalitpur

6.Hirnaya Varna Mahavihar and Digi Cheen, Lalitpur

7.Adalat Bhawan, Lalitpur

8.Gusthal Bahi and Agam of Prathamashree Mahavihar, Lalitpur

9.Jestha Varna Mahavihar, Lalitpur

10.Jangam Math, Bhaktapur

11.Bhimsen Temple*, Lalitpur

12.Namdorling Monastery*, Solukhumbu

04 September 2023: Inauguration of Project: Napichandra Mahavihara, Lalitpur

Among the five Mahaviharas (INTACH projects) in Historic City of Patan, Shree Napi Chandra Mahavihara was jointly inaugurated and handed over to the community in a momentous ceremony. The event brought together key figures, including Mr. Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and H.E. Mr. Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal, who graced the occasion. The ceremony, which was witnessed by over 120 attendees, was chaired by Mr. Budhiraj Bajracharya, President of the Lalitpur Development Society.

23 June 2023: Stone by Stone: Training Workshop on Stone Conservation

INTACH (Kathmandu Project Office) in partnership with Embassy of India in Kathmandu organized a one-day workshop on Stone Documentation and Conservation at one of 12 project sites; Seto Machindranath Temple aimed at disseminating its technical expertise in conserving stone. The workshop brought together experts from various institutions and local audiences for an exchange of ideas and technical guidance on techniques and approaches for documentation and conservation of stone elements of cultural heritage sites.

25 May 2023: INTACH at Conversation in Art Event organised by Nepal Art Council

INTACH was invited by the Nepal Art Council (NAC) to share their real-time experiences gained through the implementation of the Government of India funded Conservation of Nepal’s Cultural Heritage projects. The focus of the event was to highlight the importance of conserving art and its relevance in the Nepali context. The event took place on 25 May 2023, at the Nepal Art Council in Kathmandu, Babarmahal. It witnessed the presence of NAC members, local historians, and artists who gathered to learn from INTACH’s experiences and insights in the field of heritage conservation.