This morning, I came across “U.S. grants $900,000 for renovation of historical monuments in Patan Darbar Square” at  Nepali Times.

Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, Nepal

Acting U.S. ambassador to Nepal, Jeffrey Moon, handed over a cheque to the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust on Monday. The money from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation will be used for the restoration of rickety royal buildings, stone gates and courtyards in Patan Darbar Square.

“The most significant impacts of this restoration project include fostering increased understanding between cultures, the creation of a world-class institution, furthering knowledge of Nepali culture, local training and education, and economic development,” said Moon.

This news is very exciting. Kathmandu valley is renowned in the world for it exuberant temples, palaces and monuments; and is also known as ‘The land of temples’.  The valley has three districts: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur (Patan) which were historically separate states ruled by different kings. That is the reason why each one has its own ‘Durbar Square’ filled with majestic palaces and artistic temples. In addition, the citizens inhabiting the valley as well as the rulers themselves always respected and recognized different religions. That is why there is a huge number of Buddhist monasteries along with the Hindu temples in the valley. It is so interesting to see that most of the temples have mini-’Stupa’s (Stupa is the name for a Buddhist temple architecture) inside their premises and vice versa.

Preservation of such historically as well as culturally important assets is not only valuable but also very important. At a time when the country is all geared up towards national unity and a brand new constitution, such efforts from the international community is remarkably supportive.