"return process"

#13846670

18 Jun 2026

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.

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#13846671

18 Jun 2026

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.

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#13846672

18 Jun 2026

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.

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#13846673

18 Jun 2026

The sacred 16th-century Bhairava masks are carried 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 stolen cultural heritage to its place of origin.

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Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
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#13846674

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846675

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846676

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846677

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846678

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846679

18 Jun 2026

The sacred 16th-century Bhairava masks are carried 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 stolen cultural heritage to its place of origin.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846680

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846684

18 Jun 2026

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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13846685

18 Jun 2026

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.

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#13649167

1 May 2026

The Nepal Army Gurju Paltan performs traditional Dhime Baja music during a ceremony marking the return and installation of the historic stone Buddha statue known as Kwapa Dyah at its original shrine at Nhuchhe Baha (Bajradhatu Vihar) in Jor Ganesh, Ombahal, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 1, 2026, on the occasion of the 2570th Buddha Jayanti. The Vajradhatu Buddha statue, significant both archaeologically and religiously, was previously stolen and later found at the Tibet House Collection in New York, United States, before being repatriated to Nepal around four years ago. It was preserved at the Chhauni National Museum through coordinated efforts of the Department of Archaeology, heritage activists, and related institutions. Following legal procedures under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013 (Section 20A), the statue has now been formally returned to its original guthi custodians, marking a significant moment in the recovery of cultural heritage and community-based conservation practices.

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#13649162

1 May 2026

Devotees and officials carry the historic stone Buddha statue known as Kwapa Dyah from Hanuman Dhoka Museum in Kathmandu, Nepal, back to its original shrine at Nhuchhe Baha (Bajradhatu Vihar) in Jor Ganesh, Ombahal, on May 1, 2026, during the 2570th Buddha Jayanti. The Vajradhatu Buddha sculpture, significant both archaeologically and religiously, was previously stolen and later found at the Tibet House Collection in New York, United States. It was repatriated to Nepal approximately four years ago and kept at the Chhauni National Museum through efforts by the Department of Archaeology, heritage activists, and related institutions. Following legal procedures under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013 (Section 20A), the statue is now formally returned to its original guthi custodians, marking a step in the recovery of cultural heritage and reinforcing community-based conservation practices.

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Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
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#13649163

1 May 2026

The historic stone Buddha statue known as Kwapa Dyah is seen as officials carry it from Hanuman Dhoka Museum in Kathmandu, Nepal, back to its original shrine at Nhuchhe Baha (Bajradhatu Vihar) in Jor Ganesh, Ombahal, on May 1, 2026, on the occasion of the 2570th Buddha Jayanti. The archaeologically and religiously significant sculpture, identified as a Vajradhatu Buddha, had been stolen in the past and later surfaced at the Tibet House Collection in New York, United States. It was repatriated to Nepal around four years ago and kept at the Chhauni National Museum through coordinated efforts of the Department of Archaeology, heritage activists, and related institutions. Following legal procedures under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013 (Section 20A), the statue has now been formally returned to its original guthi custodians.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.