KATHMANDU, Feb 27: The Jestha Varna Mahavihar Conservation Project has been recognized for conservation excellence and its sustainable approach, securing an Award of Merit in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation announced by UNESCO. The recognition was announced in February 2026, according to a press statement by the project.
Located in Lalitpur, the historic monastery was among seven cultural heritage projects selected in August 2017 for implementation in Lalitpur district under the Government of India’s post-earthquake reconstruction grant in Nepal’s cultural heritage sector.
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The project was implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building & Housing) under the Government of Nepal. The contract was awarded in March 2021 at a tendered cost of Rs 13.78 crore to M/s CM-Pachali JV.
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was appointed by the Government of India as the Project Management Consultant in December 2019 and directly monitored both conservation and construction works, the statement reads.
Major works carried out under the project included the reconstruction of the historic shrine and sattals in their original form and layout while ensuring seismic safety. The project also involved documentation and conservation of decorative art surfaces and features, including historic timber works, stone sculptures and restoration of wall paintings at the shrine entrance. In addition, building services such as illumination, sanitation and rainwater harvesting systems were upgraded, taking into account the site’s location and usage.
The project was physically completed and jointly inaugurated on March 22, 2024, by then Minister for Urban Development Dhan Bahadur Budha and Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, project reported.
