Kathmandu, February 26, 2026:
The conservation project of the historic Jestha Varna Mahavihar in Lalitpur has received the Award of Merit under the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, announced by UNESCO. The results, made public in February 2026, recognized the project for its excellence in conservation and its sustainable approach.
The project was selected in August 2017 as one of seven initiatives to be implemented in Lalitpur district under the Government of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant assistance for Nepal’s cultural heritage sector, following the devastating 2015 earthquake.
The project was implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building & Housing) under the Government of Nepal. The contract was awarded in March 2021 at a tendered cost of NPR 13.78 crore to M/s CM-Pachali JV.
In December 2019, the (INTACH) was appointed by the Government of India as the Project Management Consultant (PMC). INTACH directly monitored and supervised the conservation and construction works to ensure adherence to international heritage preservation standards.
Key Conservation Works
Major works carried out under the project included:
- Reconstruction of the historic shrine and sattals in accordance with their original architectural form and layout
- Structural strengthening to ensure seismic resilience
- Documentation and conservation of decorative art elements, including historical timber works and stone sculptures
- Restoration of wall paintings at the shrine entrance
- Upgradation of building services such as illumination, sanitation, and rainwater harvesting systems, considering the site’s location and functional use
The project aimed not only to restore the physical structures but also to preserve the surviving material heritage and maintain the cultural integrity of the site.
The conservation works were physically completed and the project was jointly inaugurated on March 22, 2024, by then Minister for Urban Development of Nepal Dhan Bahadur Budha and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava.
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation recognize outstanding efforts in preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage across the region. The Award of Merit granted to the Jestha Varna Mahavihar project marks a significant milestone for Nepal’s heritage conservation efforts and highlights successful bilateral cooperation between Nepal and India in post-earthquake reconstruction.
