Handover of Award of Merit under the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation to the Jestha Varna Mahavihar, Lalitpur which was implemented through Government of India’s grant assistance

       On 2nd July 2026, a handover ceremony took place at the Jestha Varna Mahavihar in Lalitpur in connection with the Award of Merit accorded to it under the prestigious 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The metal plaque and official certificate were handed over by Mr. Jaco Du Toit, UNESCO Representative in Nepal to the Jestha Varna Mahavihar User Committee in the presence of Shri Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Dr. Rakesh Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India, Kathmandu. The event was attended by local community members, representative from Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), heritage conservationists, and officials from the Government of Nepal.

2.    The conservation of the Jestha Varna Mahavihar was undertaken as part of the Government of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant in the cultural heritage sector in Nepal at a cost of NPR 13.78 crore. INTACH from India was appointed by Government of India as part of the reconstruction efforts, to provide technical expertise as the Project Management Consultant. They worked in close coordination with Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU) of Government of Nepal 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 22 March 2024.

3.    This conservation project has been recognized by UNESCO for its exemplary community centered approach, and successfully balancing modern seismic safety retrofitting with the need to preserve 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.

4.    The Government of India had committed assistance worth US$ 1 billion to supplement the efforts of the Government of Nepal in reconstruction after 2015 Gorkha earthquake. As part of its reconstruction efforts, the Government of India has so far completed and handed over 50,000 private houses, 70 schools and a library, 122 health facilities and 17 cultural heritage sites to the Government of Nepal. Beyond this, 14 additional schools, 11 health facilities and 13 cultural heritage sector projects located across earthquake affected districts are at various stages of reconstruction, which is being implemented through Indian assistance. 

5.    Under the cultural heritage sector, the Government of India has been involved in conservation and restoration of 30 cultural heritage projects across 8 districts of Nepal: 

i.    Kathmandu
ii.    Lalitpur
iii.    Bhaktapur
iv.    Sindhupalchowk
v.    Nuwakot
vi.    Rasuwa
vii.    Dhading 
viii.    Gorkha

These projects include restoration of historical sites, ancient buildings, temples and reconstruction of monasteries and Dharmashala buildings. Some of the remarkable projects include the following: 

•    Seto Machhindranath Temple in Kathmandu, 
•    Kumari Ghar and Jestha Varna Mahavihar in Lalitpur,
•    Jangam Math in Bhaktapur, and 
•    Tarkey Ghyang Gumba in Sindhupalchowk. 

The support of the Government of India in the cultural heritage sector extends beyond structural repair and encompasses significant socio-economic and cultural benefits, contributing to Nepal's holistic recovery and long-term well-being.

6.    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 the people of Nepal in preserving and restoring the rich and shared cultural identity.

7.    Shri Chiri Babu Maharjan spoke about the collaborative spirit and Government of India’s role in enabling the conservation of Jestha Varna Mahavihar which reflects robust India-Nepal development partnership. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for extending financial assistance for restoration of various other cultural heritage sites of Lalitpur. He further thanked UNESCO for the recognition and congratulated all the Award recipients. 

8.    Representatives of the Jestha Varna Mahavihar User Committee expressed their deep gratitude to the Government of India for the timely financial and technical assistance, noting that the restored Mahavihar stands as a proud symbol of community resilience and bilateral friendship.

Kathmandu, Nepal 
2nd July, 2026