Indian envoy lays foundation stone for reconstruction of Kumari Chhen

 Indian ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra today laid the foundation stone for reconstruction and development of Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas in Patan of Lalitpur district.

According to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the conservation and development work of Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas is second of the 28 cultural heritage conservation and restoration projects being under taken with government of India reconstruction grant of Rs 5800 million conservation, restoration and reconstruction of cultural heritage projects in eight districts of Nepal. "The 28 sites have been identified by Nepal government and the projects are being implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).

The Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas will be conserved as per Ancient Monument Preservation Act, and Department of Archaeology’s Basic Guidelines and Manual for conservation and reconstruction of heritage affected by 2015 devastating earthquake. The scope of work includes restoration of the old building and conservation of the wall painting, which will serve as the ritual, and prayer building of the Kumari Goddess along with the construction of a new building on the vacant plot on the eastern side of the present Kumari Chhen to function as the new official residence of the Kumari goddess.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been engaged to provide technical support during the conservation and development work as per the Detailed Project Report approved by the overnment.

'Kumari' refers to the living Goddess worshiped by people in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The Kumari culture is central and unique practice among the Newar Buddhist community of Kathmandu Valley. The new Kumari Niwas incorporates traditional architectural features which are symbolic representations of the importance of the Kumari Goddess in the social, religious and cultural life of the Newar community.

"India is honoured to be associated with Nepal government in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites in Nepal to preserve the living cultural heritage sites to their past glory," the embassy press note adds.