Nepal Celebrates the Repatriation of Stolen Hindu Deities
In a heartwarming turn of events, Nepal is witnessing the return of stolen statues of Hindu gods and goddesses, which were smuggled abroad in the past. This repatriation is part of a growing global effort to return cultural heritage items to their countries of origin, strengthening cultural identity and safeguarding ancient artifacts.
Last month, four idols and masks of Hindu deities were returned to Nepal from the United States by museums and a private collector. Among them was a 16th-century statue of Uma-Maheswora, an avatar of the gods Shiva and Parvati, that had been stolen four decades ago. The statue's journey from its theft to the Brooklyn Museum in New York remains a mystery. However, upon its return, devotees in Patan, south of Kathmandu, celebrated with great joy. Streets filled with devotees offering money and flowers, while men in traditional attire played drums and cymbals, accompanied by the chanting of prayers.
Ram Maya Benjankar, a 52-year-old devotee, expressed her overwhelming happiness, stating that she had cried as a child upon learning of the statue's theft and had been waiting years for its return. The statue had disappeared mysteriously from their local neighborhood, highlighting the lack of security around these sacred items. Despite their immense religious significance to the Hindu-majority population of Nepal, the idols have little monetary value. However, they are highly sought after by smugglers who see them as lucrative commodities on the international market.
Until recently, little attention was given to the thefts or any efforts toward recovery. However, in recent years, the government, art lovers, and campaigners have begun actively pursuing stolen heritage items, resulting in notable successes. A group representing the ethnic Newar community from Nepal residing in the United States played a crucial role in repatriating the Uma-Maheswora statue. Deeply saddened by the idols being locked away in basement storage, the group took the initiative to bring these treasures back to their rightful home.
The temple in Patan is now being prepared to reinstate the Uma-Maheswora statue. Following a grand welcome ceremony, the statue was placed on a chariot carried by devotees and taken to a museum, where it will remain under tight security until its final placement. According to Jayaram Shrestha, the director at the National Museum in Kathmandu, more than 20 other stolen artifacts are expected to be repatriated to Nepal in the near future. These cultural treasures will primarily return from the United States and Europe.
To accommodate the increasing number of repatriated items, Shrestha has built a special room at the National Museum for their exhibition. This allows the public, if they so desire, to come and worship these artifacts. Currently, there are 62 statues on display, and with the anticipation of many more to come, the section of the museum is being expanded. Shrestha emphasizes the importance of making these ancient artifacts available rather than storing them away in a warehouse.
Locating stolen items has become easier with growing awareness among Nepalis at home and abroad. The ability to track artifacts online when they are exhibited or put up for auction has been instrumental in recovery efforts. Moreover, there is a shift in the mindset of collectors and museums, with more recognizing the significance of returning these items to their places of origin. The Nepal government has taken proactive steps, utilizing recovery campaigns and diplomatic channels through foreign embassies to ensure the safe return of these millennia-old artifacts.
Narayan Prakash Saud, Nepal's foreign minister, expressed the government's stance, stating, 'We have made it clear that they need to be reinstated to their original place, and security ensured to keep these thousands-of-years-old artifacts safe.' The repatriation of stolen Hindu deities to Nepal is a testament to the commitment and concerted efforts to preserve cultural heritage. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of unity and determination in safeguarding and honoring the rich cultural legacy of a nation.
