Two centuries-old statues return to Nepal from US
Summary
Two centuries-old statues have returned to Nepal from New York, including a 13th-century bronze Padma Pani and a 16th-century wooden Goddess of Dance (Nrtyadevi). Officials and heritage advocates say the repatriation marks another step in Nepal’s campaign to recover stolen cultural treasures and restore them to their original shrines.
Key Points
- The 13th-century bronze Padma Pani from Thamel and the 16th-century wooden Nrtyadevi from Lalitpur were returned to Nepal from institutions in New York and handed over to the Department of Archaeology.
- The repatriation was coordinated by the Newa Guthi of New York, the Consulate General, and the US Embassy, with support from Nepali heritage advocates.
- Officials said Nepal has now recovered 203 archaeological objects overall, including 127 from the United States alone.
- Kathmandu and Lalitpur city leaders urged that the statues be reinstalled at their original shrines with proper security and cultural care.
