Nepal: India-backed Jestha Varna Mahavihar receives UNESCO Award of Merit

Jul 04, 2026

Lalitpur (Nepal), July 04 (ANI): The historic Jestha Varna Mahavihar in Nepal's Lalitpur received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2025 – Award of Merit at a handover ceremony held in Lalitpur on July 2. India's Deputy Chief of Mission to Nepal, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, joined the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, representatives of the local community and UNESCO Nepal took part in the ceremony. The restoration of Jestha Varna Mahavihar was undertaken with the support of the Government of India as part of its broader cultural heritage conservation partnership with Nepal. The project reflects the two countries' longstanding commitment to preserving their shared civilisational and cultural heritage. The UNESCO Award of Merit recognises excellence in heritage conservation, and the honour for Jestha Varna Mahavihar highlights India-Nepal cooperation in preserving their shared cultural and Buddhist heritage.