WASHINGTON DC: Two idols dating back around 800 years, which were stolen from Nepal and taken to the United States of America, will be repatriated, according to an agreement between officials of Nepal and USA.

An agreement to this effect was sighed between Daniel H Weiss, President of the New York-based Metropolitan Museum of Art and Consul General of Nepal in New York Madhu Marasini amid a programme organised in New York on Monday.

Handing over stolen idols to their original owner follows the Museum policy of not exhibiting stolen arts.

Currently, the two idols are put on display in the museum.

The idols, which are based on the stone art, and date back to 12th and 13th centuries, were stolen from Nepal during the 1980's and were taken to the USA via various routes.

The idol of the Hindu God Umamaheshwor had been taken away from the Patan-based Umamaheshwor Temple and the second one is the idol of Gautam Buddha.

On the occasion, Consul General Marasini thanked the Museum for its efforts in returning the idols to Nepal.

The Office of Consulate General in New York is preparing to send the idols back home following a due process within coming April, said Marasini.