Kathmandu. Lalitpur-based Jyeshtha Varna Mahavihara has been formally handed the ‘Award of Merit’ under the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award for 2025.

Mr. Chiri Babu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Dr. Vivek Oberoi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, Kathmandu were also present at the event. In the presence of Rakesh Pandey, the award was handed over to the Jyeshtha Varna Mahavihara Consumer Committee. The event was attended by local communities, heritage conservationists, representatives of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and officials of the Government of Nepal.

The conservation work of Jyeshtha Varna Mahavihara was completed under the post-earthquake reconstruction grant program of the Government of India at a cost of Rs 13.78 crore. INTACH acted as technical consultant for the project, coordinating with Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU) of Government of Nepal and local communities. The project was inaugurated on March 22, 2020.

UNESCO has awarded the project for its successful integration of community-centered conservation model, preservation of historic Newari wood art and traditional architecture with modern seismic safety. UNESCO has also commended the continuous operation of the religious rituals and cultural practices of the local Newar Buddhist community in course of conservation work.

The Government of India had pledged US$ 1 billion for the post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepal. So far, 50,000 private houses, 70 schools, one library, 122 health institutions and 17 cultural heritage sites have been reconstructed and handed over to the Government of Nepal. Projects to reconstruct more schools, health facilities and cultural heritages are also in various stages.

Speaking at the program, Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. On the occasion, Ambassador of Nepal to Nepal Rakesh Pandey said that the project of Jyeshtha Varna Mahavihara has further strengthened the historical and cultural relations between India and Nepal.

On the occasion, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiri Babu Maharjan lauded the Indian government’s contribution in the conservation of the Mahavihara and expressed gratitude for its support in the restoration of other heritages of Lalitpur. He expressed the belief that the international recognition received from UNESCO would further encourage Nepal’s heritage conservation campaign.

The Jyeshtha Varna Mahavihara Users’ Committee has also expressed gratitude to the Government of India for timely financial and technical support and said that the reinstated Mahavihara has become a symbol of Nepal-India friendship and upliftment of the community.