"Ritual procession"

#13649185

1 May 2026

The original shrine of Kwapa Dyah is seen before the installation of the repatriated stone Buddha statue, while a replica of the idol is seen on the right after being removed during the ritual 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 stolen in the past and later appeared 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 original statue has now been formally returned to its original guthi custodians.

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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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#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.

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#13649164

1 May 2026

The Nepal Police Band performs music as 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 statue, which is archaeologically and religiously significant, 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 has been 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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#13649165

1 May 2026

The Nepal Police Band performs music as 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 statue, which is archaeologically and religiously significant, 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 has been 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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#13649166

1 May 2026

The Nepal Police Band performs music as 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 statue, which is archaeologically and religiously significant, 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 has been 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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#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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#13649168

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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#13649169

1 May 2026

Scott Urbom, the senior United States career diplomat serving as acting head of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, 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, 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, marking a step in the recovery of cultural heritage and reinforcing community-based conservation practices.

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#13649170

1 May 2026

Scott Urbom, the senior United States career diplomat serving as acting head of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, 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, 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, marking a step in the recovery of cultural heritage and reinforcing community-based conservation practices.

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#13649171

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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#13649172

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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#13649173

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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#13649174

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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#13649175

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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#13649176

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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