Nepal World Heritage Site to B Restored Through U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation

June 26, 2009

The restoration of the intricately carved stone sculpture of the Tusha Hiti and Bhandarkhal Tank at the Patan Royal Palace in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of eight projects at World Heritage Sites to receive financial support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) in 2009.

The Nepal projects are exquisite examples of 17th-century water architecture. The Tusha Hiti and Bhandarkhal Tank are among the crowning artistic achievements of the Malla kings, whose patronage of the arts marked the height of Nepalese culture. The project to restore the stone sculpture is part of a larger effort of the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust to preserve the palace complex and reopen its courtyards, gardens, and other spaces to the public. The Patan Royal Palace is part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.

Established by Congress in 2001 and administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Cultural Heritage Center, AFCP provides direct grant support for the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression in countries around the world. Since its inception, the Fund has demonstrated America’s respect for the cultural heritage of other countries by supporting more than 500 cultural preservation projects in more than 100 countries.

Over the past eight years, the U.S. Government has committed approximately $355,500 dollars to restore and preserve cultural sites in Nepal.

Projects supported by the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation in the last eight years in Nepal include: the restoration of Kal Bhairav (completed in 2005) and Kageshwor Temple (completed in 2006) in Kathmandu Durbar Square; rebuilding the Lakshmi Narayan and Mahadev Temples, both in Kathmandu Durbar Square (completed in 2007), Machali Pati in Teku (completed in 2007), Nag Bahal Hiti in Lalitpur (completed in 2008), Ancient Buddhist Chhortens in upper Mustang (under construction); and now, 17th Century Water Architecture in the Patan Durbar in Lalitpur.