KATHMANDU: As a ritual of worship seeking forgiveness before the start of restoration work “Chhema Puja” was performed at Hiranyavarna Mahavihar and DigiChhen, Lalitpur by the Local community on Friday.
The puja was attended by officials from Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Central Level Project Implementation Unit, Government of Nepal and INTACH Kathmandu. The Mahavihar is being reconstructed at a cost of 181 million rupees.
Hiranyavarna Mahavihar popularly also known as the golden temple is situated in the monument zone of Patan Durbar square a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lalitpur which is one of the most important Buddhist temple monasteries of Patan.
“It is one of the 28 cultural heritage projects being undertaken under Government of India grant assistance of US$ 50 million for Post-Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites in Nepal,” states a press statement issued by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday.
Seven cultural heritage projects are being reconstructed in Lalitpur district of which work on five projects are ongoing.