KATHMANDU, MARCH 11

Deputy Chief of the Embassy of India to Nepal Namgya C Khampa and Chief Executive Officer of National Reconstruction Authority of Government of Nepal jointly laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of Dharmashala at Budhanilkantha Temple in Kathmandu, today.

The event was attended by Swami Nigamananda, Mathadhish of Temple, Laxman Khadka, Chairman, Budhanilkantha Management Committee, Mani Ram Gelal, Secretary of NRA, Tek Narayan Pandey, Secretary, Ministry of Land Reform, Jay Bahadur Chand, Chief of Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Uddhav Pd Kharel, Mayor of Budhanilkantha Municipality, Chakra Bandhu Aryal, Chairman, World Hindu Federation, officials from the Embassy of India and NRA, among others.

The reconstruction of Dharmashala at Budhanilkantha is the third of 28 heritage conservation and restoration projects being undertaken with a reconstruction commitment of NRs 5,800 million by the Government of India for the cultural heritage sector, stated the Embassy of India.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for restoration and reconstruction of the 28 sites was signed in August 2017. The Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) is the implementing agency for the projects.

India has been working with Nepal for the restoration of cultural heritage projects in the past as well. "We have long cultural similarities, cultural heritage to preserve for the future generation," further stated the Embassy. India has been working with Nepal for restoration of cultural heritage projects, reflecting the common cultural heritage to maintain strong and friendly historical linkages.

Earlier in November 2019, the Mathadhish building on the premises of Budhanilkantha Temple was constructed with a grant assistance of NRs 22 million.

According to the Indian diplomatic mission in Nepal, "Government of India is committed to work with Government of Nepal in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites in Nepal to preserve the living cultural heritage sites in their past glory."