The Budhanilakantha Municipality has initiated efforts to enlist the historic Budhanilakantha Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aiming to preserve and promote its cultural and historical significance.
A formal discussion was recently held to explore the inclusion of the iconic stone-carved statue of Lord Vishnu—believed to have been sculpted during the Vishnu Gupta era in the 2nd century—along with the temple complex, into the global heritage listing.
The dialogue involved government representatives, historians, cultural experts, intellectuals, writers, and journalists, emphasizing the need for concrete historical and architectural evidence to support the nomination.
Experts including Prof. Dinesh Raj Pant, theologian Dr. Govinda Tandan, Nepal Bhasa Academy Chancellor Malla K. Sundar, and Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Chancellor Narad Mani Hartamchhali, along with writers Sneha Sayami, Shyam Rimal, and Shreesh Bhandari, advised the municipality to compile comprehensive architectural documentation of the temple’s heritage assets.
Additionally, experts suggested conducting a detailed study of the natural and cultural aspects of the Shivapuri-Budhanilakantha region, further strengthening the case for the temple’s inclusion in UNESCO’s prestigious list.
The municipality has pledged to continue consultations and research to fulfill the necessary criteria for the heritage site nomination.
06th Feb 2025
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