Kathmandu, July 2, 2026 — The Jestha Varna Mahavihar in Lalitpur, a historic Buddhist monastery conserved with Government of India’s grant assistance, was honored with the Award of Merit under the prestigious 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation at a handover ceremony held on July 2, 2026.
The metal plaque and official certificate were presented by Mr. Jaco Du Toit, UNESCO Representative in Nepal, to the Jestha Varna Mahavihar User Committee. The ceremony was graced by Shri Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and Dr. Rakesh Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, Kathmandu.
The event witnessed the presence of local community members, representatives from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), heritage conservationists, and officials from the Government of Nepal.
Project Background and Implementation
The conservation of Jestha Varna Mahavihar was undertaken as part of the Government of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant in Nepal’s cultural heritage sector, at a total cost of NPR 13.78 crore. INTACH from India was appointed by the Government of India as the Project Management Consultant to provide technical expertise, working in close coordination with Nepal’s Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU) and the local community.
The project was inaugurated by H.E. Ambassador Shri Naveen Srivastava and Shri Dhan Bahadur Budha, the then Minister of Urban Development, Government of Nepal, on March 22, 2024.
UNESCO Recognition
UNESCO recognized this conservation project for its exemplary community-centered approach, successfully balancing modern seismic safety retrofitting with the preservation of intricate historical Newari woodcarvings and traditional architecture. The project also ensured that the living heritage, daily rituals, and cultural practices of the Newar Buddhist community continued uninterrupted throughout the conservation process.
India’s Reconstruction Commitment
The Government of India had committed US$ 1 billion in assistance to supplement Nepal’s reconstruction efforts following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. To date, India has completed and handed over to the Government of Nepal:
· 50,000 private houses
· 70 schools and a library
· 122 health facilities
· 17 cultural heritage sites
Additionally, 14 schools, 11 health facilities, and 13 cultural heritage sector projects across earthquake-affected districts are at various stages of reconstruction with Indian assistance.
Cultural Heritage Projects Across Nepal
Under the cultural heritage sector, India has been involved in conserving and restoring 30 cultural heritage projects across 8 districts of Nepal:
1. Kathmandu
2. Lalitpur
3. Bhaktapur
4. Sindhupalchowk
5. Nuwakot
6. Rasuwa
7. Dhading
8. Gorkha
Notable projects include:
· Seto Machhindranath Temple in Kathmandu
· Kumari Ghar and Jestha Varna Mahavihar in Lalitpur
· Jangam Math in Bhaktapur
· Tarkey Ghyang Gumba in Sindhupalchowk
India’s support in the cultural heritage sector extends beyond structural repair, encompassing significant socio-economic and cultural benefits that contribute to Nepal’s holistic recovery and long-term well-being.
Remarks from Dignitaries
Speaking at the event, Dr. Rakesh Pandey congratulated the user community, CLPIU, INTACH, and other stakeholders. He highlighted that the success of the Jestha Varna Mahavihar project underscores the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties shared between India and Nepal. He reiterated the Government of India’s continued commitment to partnering with the Government and people of Nepal in preserving and restoring their shared cultural identity.
Shri Chiri Babu Maharjan spoke about the collaborative spirit and India’s role in enabling the conservation of Jestha Varna Mahavihar, reflecting the robust India-Nepal development partnership. He expressed gratitude to India for financial assistance for restoring various other cultural heritage sites of Lalitpur and thanked UNESCO for the recognition.
Representatives of the Jestha Varna Mahavihar User Committee expressed deep gratitude to the Government of India for timely financial and technical assistance, noting that the restored Mahavihar stands as a proud symbol of community resilience and bilateral friendship.
