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Nepal: Stolen 16th-Century Bhairava Masks Return Home To Dolakha After Three Decades

The sacred 16th-century Bhairava masks are pictured in a procession as they depart the National Museum of Nepal in Chhauni, Kathmandu, on June 18, 2026, en route to their original shrine in Dolakha after more than three decades abroad. The masks were stolen in March 1994 and later trafficked internationally before entering museum circulation in the United States. Following provenance research and legal coordination between Nepali authorities and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the masks were formally returned and repatriated to Nepal in December 2023. Their return is part of ongoing efforts to restore cultural heritage to its place of origin and to the communities that regard them as sacred objects. (Photo by Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto)

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