A 5th-century Buddhist Stupa, which was severely damaged during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, has been reconstructed with the assistance of India and was inaugurated near Kathmandu on Monday. The new building of the Shree Napichandra Mahavihar, situated in Lalitpur district, was jointly inaugurated by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiri Babu Maharjan. The reconstruction project, which cost NPR 3.84 crore, was carried out under the technical assistance of the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH).

This initiative is part of the Government of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in the cultural heritage sector in Nepal. The 2015 earthquake had caused significant damage, resulting in the loss of nearly 9,000 lives and leaving over 21,000 injured. During the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Srivastava emphasized the strong ongoing collaboration between India and Nepal across various sectors. He also highlighted the historical cultural similarities and heritage that both countries share, emphasizing the importance of preserving this for future generations.

India has been actively involved in the restoration of cultural heritage projects in Nepal in the past as well, reflecting the common culture that strengthens the friendly relationship between the two nations. In addition to the Shree Napichandra Mahavihar, India has provided support for the reconstruction of multiple heritage sites in Lalitpur that were damaged during the earthquake. The Mayor of Lalitpur, Maharjan, expressed his gratitude to India for its efforts in heritage conservation, not only in his district but also throughout Nepal. The reconstruction of the Buddhist Stupa is a significant step towards restoring Nepal's rich cultural heritage and represents the positive collaboration between India and Nepal. This joint initiative aims to ensure the preservation of these valuable treasures for future generations to appreciate and cherish.