Nepal’s cultural heritages need our attention

Two days after the devastating 2015 earthquake, the author visited Patan Durbar Square, witnessing the precarious state of its ancient temples. Structures like the iconic Char Narayan and the Bhimsen temple were either collapsed or severely damaged, listing precariously.

Today, Patan Durbar Square presents a striking image of resilience and restoration, appearing as if untouched by the earthquake. The Char Narayan temple has risen from its rubble, and the Bhimsen temple stands tall once more. Even the Bhaidegah temple, destroyed in the 1934 earthquake and previously replaced by a placeholder, has been meticulously rebuilt. These surviving struts are now housed in the Patan Museum.

This extensive reconstruction was made possible through the immediate and dedicated efforts of the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT). Founded in 1991, KVPT was on-site the day after the earthquake, working with local authorities and communities. Their prior work, institutional knowledge, documentation, and technical capacity enabled them to salvage artifacts, catalogue them, and safely store them for eventual reinstallation.

The restoration of Patan Durbar Square was a monumental undertaking, funded by governments including Germany, the United States, Japan, and Austria, alongside international bodies like the Prince Claus Fund and key Nepali private and corporate donors. This collaborative effort underscores the global understanding of the practical value of heritage conservation.

The Kathmandu Valley, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, encompasses seven Monument Zones, including the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, as well as Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Changu Narayan Temple. These sites are vital to Nepal's living heritage, culture, and tourism, serving as a crucial element of cultural diplomacy. Despite their immense value, the article notes a lack of educational focus on these sites in schools.