Kathmandu: Twenty-one Nepali relics and carved wooden blocks with archeological importance smuggled to the United States of America in the past have been brought back to the country, the Department of Archeology confirmed at a news conference today.
According to National News Agency Nepal, three of the Pauva paintings were lost from Itumbahal in Kathmandu in 2037 BS. An idol of Buddha made of stone from the ninth century was lost from the Machchhindra Bahal premise of Bungmati. Additionally, a stone idol of Buddha dating back to the 12th century, originally from Guit Chaitya in Patan, was repatriated from the Art Institute of Chicago. Sixteen other Nepali relics, sent to the USA from various parts of the country at different times, have also been returned.
Department’s Director General Saubhagya Pradhananga stated that the ancient Nepali relics kept in different museums, auction houses, and private museums were received with support from the Homeland Security Investigation Department, New York, and the Office of the District Attorney, Manhattan. The relics and properties were handed over a month ago to the Acting Consul General of the Office of Consulate General Nepal in New York, Chakra Kumar Subedi.
The articles were returned to Nepal as per international laws after the Department confirmed Nepal as the place of origin of those goods. This initiative has facilitated the return of Nepali idols and other ancient goods. Different government agencies collaborated to return those goods, while Newa: Guthi based in New York extended financial assistance to bring the properties from the USA.
Nepal’s ancient artistic and invaluable treasures had been stolen in the past. The Department stated that the records of stolen cultural heritages from eastern Nepal after the 1950s were not available so far. Nepal had first received its stolen archeological and artistic treasures in 1986. To date, 177 archeologically important goods have been returned to the country with support from national and international institutions from the UK, Austria, the USA, Tibet Autonomous Region of China, India, Germany, Australia, and Italy. As stated at a press meet, 104 such archeologically important goods were returned to Nepal from the USA alone.