Kathmandu | August 24, 2026.The newly restored cultural heritage sites of Shree Kumari Chhen and New Kumari Niwas were grandly inaugurated on Monday in Patan, Lalitpur. The historic structures were jointly inaugurated by H.E. Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal; Hon’ble Jagdish Kharel, Member of Parliament; and Mr. Chiribabu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City.
During the event, dignitaries unveiled the inaugural plaque and partook in traditional ceremonies. The ceremony was attended by officials from Nepal’s Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU – Building & Housing), local community representatives, and officials from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
**Key Project Highlights**
* **Financial Assistance:** The heritage sites were rebuilt using the Government of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant, amounting to approximately **NPR 5 crores**.
* **Execution & Design:** The project was implemented by CLPIU (Building & Housing). The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) provided expert design and project management consultancy services
**Perspectives from the Dignitaries**
**MP Jagdish Kharel** praised the local residents for their active contributions and emphasized the vital importance of safeguarding living heritage landmarks. He expressed deep gratitude for the valuable assistance provided by the Government of India in restoring these historical sites.
Lalitpur’s **Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan** expressed his profound appreciation for India’s significant contributions to the restoration of cultural heritage across Lalitpur and other districts. He also commended the local community for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout the project.
In his address, **Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava** highlighted the deep-rooted cultural ties between India and Nepal. Reaffirming India’s sustained support for restoring Nepal’s historic monuments, he noted that these reconstructed structures stand as enduring symbols of shared heritage and enduring friendship between the two nations.
**India’s Broader Reconstruction Support in Nepal**
Complementing the Government of Nepal’s post-earthquake recovery efforts, the Government of India has demonstrated a comprehensive development partnership through massive reconstruction initiatives, which include:
* **Cultural Heritage:** Conservation of 30 cultural heritage sites across 8 districts.
* **Private Housing:** Reconstruction of 50,000 private houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts.
* **Education:** Rebuilding of 85 educational institutions across 8 districts.
* **Healthcare:** Reconstruction of 133 health facilities across 11 districts.
This initiative is a testament to the robust and multifaceted development partnership shared between India and Nepal. 
