Himalayan News Service

Lalitpur, June 12:

Madhav Shyam Sharma, the priest of Kumveshwore temple at Swatha, Lalitpur, has handed over the use and management rights of his Malla-era ancestral palace to Kujha Women Community Group. The palace constructed during the Malla dynasty was handed over to run community works. Kujha, meaning corner window, originally used to be the residence of priests and high-ranking courtiers during the Malla reign, given to them by the King in recognition for their works. The present house was one of such palaces given to the ancestors of priest Sharma by Kirti Malla, the brother of the then King of Patan Yognarsing Malla.

Genevieve Bloomfield, wife of British ambassador to Nepal, said women community groups could lead local women towards self-dependency. "This is an example that women development does not need to depend on foreign donors," she said. Wendy Marstan, a Rotarian who is active in community welfare in Nepal for last 24 years, expressed her commitment to help such groups in all the possible ways. "I am delighted to know about the group and would help it in all the necessary ways," she said. Mukunda Bista, president of Nepal Organisation for Conservation of Trans-Himalayan Cultural Heritage, expressed his belief that such groups could better contribute to preserve the ancient monuments.