नेपाल सरकार राष्ट्रिय पुनर्निर्माण प्राधिकरण

Kathmandu, July 4: The restoration of Shree Gopichandra Mahavihar has commenced by holding a Chhyema Puja, a ritual of ‘asking forgiveness’.

The local community performed the Puja amidst a ceremony attended by officials from the Indian Embassy, the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). INTACH is one of world’s largest heritage organization dedicated to conservation of art and cultural heritages.

The restoration project is being implemented with Rs. 160 million financial support from the government of India under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nepal government for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites.

The historic site is believed to have been founded in the 12th century and is an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan and Newari Buddhists. The Mahavihar is associated with two great Mahasiddhas - Naropa and Vanaratna.