Kathmandu Heritage Summit concluded on January 3, 2024, with a formal declaration to preserve the Nepal’s cultural legacy. It was organized by the Sahid Gangalal Foundation in academic and technical collaboration with Lumbini Buddhist University. The summit focused on the theme of “Cultivating Heritage, Empowering the Future,” emphasizing academic and professional insights into Nepal’s tangible and intangible culture. The program was chaired by Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Lumbini Buddhist University. The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Prashant Shrestha, President of the Sahid Gangalal Foundation, and Mrs. Saubhaya Pradhananga, Director General of the Department of Archaeology. The president of the Sahid Gangalal Foundation welcomed all the distinguished guests. The chairperson inaugurated the program by lighting the Panas with a Sukunda.
Mrs. Saubhaya Pradhananga highlighted the importance of heritage, focusing on its tangible and intangible aspects. She elaborated on the Department of Archaeology’s role in heritage preservation and extended her best wishes for the success of the program. Chief Guest Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya shared his experiences, including teaching Nepalbhasha to Japanese students and his efforts in conserving tangible and intangible heritage at Swayambhu and Manang. Dr. Shakya emphasized the need for collaboration among communities, scholars, and policymakers for the sustainable preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. He stressed that summits like the Kathmandu Heritage Summit are essential to bring together these stakeholders for significant impact. The inauguration session concluded with a captivating Charya dance, which left a lasting impression on the participants.
First Session: Scholarly Paper Presentations
The first session featured paper presentations by scholars and was moderated by Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya. Five scholars presented their research on various aspects of heritage:
Mr. Mohan Kumar Tamang, a PhD scholar at Lumbini Buddhist University, discussed the Milarepa caves scattered across Nepal’s Himalayan region, highlighting their current condition and tourism potential.
Arch. Prajeeta Gyawali and Mr. Prajesh Gyawali presented on the Antyesti ritual and its influence on cultural architecture, focusing on Pashupatinath Temple and how cremation traditions have shaped its architecture.
Journalist Prabita Shrestha examined the precarious fate of repatriated statues, idols, and deities, discussing their history, repatriation processes, and the challenges in reinstating them in their original locations.
Er. Badan Nyachhyon highlighted the degradation of heritage sites in Kathmandu and the challenges in preservation at the policy level, advocating for community involvement in policymaking and revisions of existing laws.
Social enthusiast Nanihera Shakya explored Charya songs and dances in Newar Buddhism, their history, composers, and their integration into Vajrayana rituals.
Second Session: Panel Discussion
The second session,moderated by Mr. Suryadeep Prasad Shrestha, featured a panel discussion on the heritage of Nepal, particularly focusing on the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural epitome. The panelists included:
Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, discussed academia’s role in heritage preservation and the initiatives of Lumbini Buddhist University.
Mr. Sunil Sharma, Senior Manager of Nepal Tourism Board, emphasized the connection between tourism and heritage preservation. He highlighted how tourism bridges communities rich in heritage with visitors, researchers, and tourists.
Spiritual guru L.P. Bhanu Sharma elaborated on the spiritual and cultural significance of Kathmandu Valley’s heritage, emphasising the importance of pilgrimage and spiritual tourism.
The session provided a comprehensive view of heritage conservation, blending academic, economic, and spiritual perspectives.
Third Session: Paper Presentations
The third session featured additional scholarly presentations and was moderated by Assistant Professor Sanjay Shakya.
Assistant Lecturer Neshan Shrestha presented on the interconnectivity of tangible and intangible heritage, focusing on the Cilanco Chaitya in the Dapha songs of Tanani.
Assistant Professor Dipa Shakya shared insights on revitalizing craftsmanship in heritage conservation, presenting a case study on the restoration of the Charnarayan Temple at Patan Durbar Square.
Lecturer Birat Bajracharya discussed the tradition of the twelve Lokeshwaras and Uposatha Vrata, their heritage sites, and the need for conservation.
Entrepreneur Sanam Shakya highlighted the significance of repoussé art in Kathmandu Valley, its history, and its tangible and intangible cultural aspects.
This session reinforced the interconnectedness of tangible and intangible heritage, offering valuable insights into their preservation.
Declaration from the Summit
Assistant Professor Sanjay Shakya aanounced the summit’s declaration, emphasizing the need for revitalizing tourism, advancing Buddhist education, and preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage.
1. There is a collective need for dedication to revitalizing tourism, advancing Buddhist education, and promoting holistic living through innovative recovery initiatives, scholarly contributions, and spiritual practices that inspire global transformation.
2. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting Nepal’s spiritual, cultural, and architectural heritage—ranging from Milarepa’s sacred caves and their potential for spiritual tourism, the architectural significance, and the repatriation and proper restoration of stolen cultural artifacts—ensuring these treasures serve as enduring symbols of identity, spirituality, and continuity for future generations.
3. We are committed to preserving and revitalizing Nepal’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage—including the Kathmandu Valley’s historical identity, the rich tradition of Vajrayāna’s Charyāgīta and Charyānṛtya, and the unique blend of Buddhist architecture and literature in Kīrtipur—by addressing systemic challenges, fostering awareness, and promoting sustainable conservation efforts that honor these treasures as national and global assets for future generations.
4. We advocate for the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, including traditional craftsmanship in Patan’s post-earthquake restoration, the fading Uposodha Vrata tradition linked to Lokeśvara worship, and the exquisite Repoussé art of Newar artisans, emphasizing the need to support artisans, promote apprenticeships, and deepen the understanding of these traditions to sustain their cultural and religious significance for future generations.
5. Recognizing the rich cultural, historical, and social diversity of South Asia, and acknowledging the importance of preserving and promoting this heritage for future generations, we declare our collective intention to organize a South Asian Heritage Summit in the near future.
The program concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the presenters by the president of the Sahid Gangalal Foundation.