Stolen 13th century Buddha idol restored

Kathmandu, May 2: A stolen 13th-century idol of Buddha, originally from Bajradhatu Bihar in Ward No. 23 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was restored to its original location on Friday on the occasion of the 2570th Buddha Jayanti.

The idol was returned to Nepal from the United States in 2022 and had since been kept at the National Museum. It was formally reinstalled at its original site on Friday.

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol, Ward No. 23 Chairperson Macharaja Maharjan, heritage campaigner Ganapati Lal Shrestha, advocate Sanjay Adhikari, and local residents brought the statue from the Hanumandhoka Palace Museum after completing the necessary formalities.

In the presence of Aruna Nakarmi, Chief of the National Museum, and officials from the Hanumandhoka Palace Museum Development Committee, the statue was handed over to the concerned trustees.

The statue, which had been stolen and later found in the Tibet House collection in Manhattan, USA, was returned to Nepal and sent to the National Museum for safekeeping by the Department of Archaeology on March 2, 2022 (Falgun 8, 2078 BS).

Heritage campaigner Ganapati Lal Shrestha said that the idol had been stolen from its original location around 40 years ago. A replica had been installed by locals a few years after the original was stolen.

He further said that the replica was removed on Thursday and kept near the original idol after it was reinstalled. “We are very happy to reinstall the idol at its original place after such a long time,” he said.

Ward Chairperson Macharaja Maharjan said that the ward is also responsible for the preservation and protection of heritage. He added that the ward has been carrying out conservation work by allocating a specific budget.

Aruna Nakarmi, Chief of the National Museum in Chhauni, said that after being displayed at the museum’s Bouddha Art Gallery, the idol was restored to its original site on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.

People dressed in traditional Newa attire, accompanied by music, carried the idol from Hanumandhoka Durbar Square to Om Bahal of Ward No. 23 with traditional folk music and reinstalled at its original place. The idol was brought Hanumandhoka from Chhauni Museum on Thursday. 

The collection of repatriated artefacts at the National Museum’s temporary exhibition hall has been increasing, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Archaeology, government bodies, and activists. A temporary exhibition hall has been developed at the National Museum to display these artefacts.

It currently holds 137 returned artefacts that are yet to be restored to their original locations. A total of 12 returned artefacts have been restored to their original places so far, according to the Chhauni Museum.