Patan (Lalitpur), April 6: President Ramchandra Paudel has said all the three tiers of the government should pay attention to the development, conservation and promotion of the invaluable heritages of the country having a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic culture and tradition.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the reconstructed Shree Degutaleju Temple and the unveiling of the stone inscription in Patan Durbar Area today, President Paudel stressed the need for awareness, consciousness and concern at the citizen level for heritage conservation.
“For our future generations, these invaluable heritages are an important link in understanding our time, history and ancestors. It is our common responsibility to preserve and promote such important places of the country and protect many heritages which were the mark of hard work and efforts of and the gift from the ancestors,” said President Paudel.
Stating that Nepal, a beautiful country of unique geographical diversity, has many beautiful natural, religious, cultural and historical places as the nature’s boon, he said that countless temples, Shaktipeeths, shrines and pilgrimage sites are linked with the civilization, culture and national pride of Nepalis.
The Head of State said that Degutaleju Temple is a precious heritage of Patan Durbar Area, which is included in the World Heritage List, President Paudel said that the heritages here, a major destination for domestic and foreign tourists, have made Nepal known at the international level.
Our historical, religious and cultural heritages across the country are the pride and identity of Nepal and Nepalis, the President said, adding that although the reconstruction and restoration of historical heritage damaged in the Gorkha earthquake was challenging, that the successful reconstruction of the Degutaleju Temple has enhanced the beauty of this World Heritage Site.
On the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey lauded the challenging work done by Lalitpur in preserving heritage and culture in the country. He said Japan’s cooperation and dedication of the locals was important in the reconstruction of this heritage in the past 10 years while maintaining the history with marinating archaeological structure.
He said it was the duty of all of us to protect Nepal’s diverse culture and nature. He stressed the need to develop Nepal as an open museum by giving priority to it and making it known to the world. Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru said that the reconstruction of the heritage damaged by the earthquake has been successful due to the continuous support of the international community and the tireless efforts of Nepalis.
He wished that this temple continues as a friendship between Nepal and Japan forever. Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City ChiribabuMaharjan shared that the construction of the archaeological heritages has been completed through a locals’ committee by giving responsibility to the locals.
He expressed the belief that the heritages reconstructed now would remain safe even when there was a bigger earthquake than in 2072 BS. Chairperson of Degutaleju Temple Reconstruction Committee Kiran Man Pradhan shared that the responsibility of rebuilding the temple damaged by the 2072 BS earthquake has been successfully completed. He opined that he had worked for future generations by rebuilding this important historical heritage.
