By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Mar. 10: Ambassador of India to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for reconstruction and development of Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas in Patan, Lalitpur.
The conservation and development work of Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas is the second of the 28 cultural heritage conservation and restoration projects being undertaken with Government of India reconstruction grant of Rs. 5800 million in eight districts of Nepal.
The 28 sites have been identified by Government of Nepal and the projects are being implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), read a statement of the Indian Embassy.
The Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas will be conserved as per Nepal’s Ancient Monument Preservation Act, and Department of Archaeology’s Basic Guidelines and Manual for conservation and reconstruction of heritage affected by 2015 earthquake.
“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.
“The scope of work includes restoration of the old building and conservation of the wall painting which will serve as the ritual/prayer building of the Kumari Goddess along with the construction of a new building on the empty 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 Government of Nepal,” the embassy said.
The event was attended by Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiribabu Maharjan, former Minister of Culture and former Mayor of Lalitpur Buddhiraj Bajracharya, Project Director, National Reconstruction Authority, Shyam Kishor Singh, Members of the User Committee of Kumari Chhen and community members.
Officers from Reconstruction and Development Wing of the Embassy of India were present at the ceremony.